The District No. 2904 School Board had the first reading of the proposed FY 2026 capital outlay requests during its regular meeting Monday night. The proposed capital outlay was for $1,015,276 for FY26, an increase of $470,222 over the capital outlay for FY25 which was $545,054.
The largest change was in buildings and grounds. TAPS Supt. Chad Anderson explained to the board that during the construction the past two years, the amount spent on buildings and grounds was decreased since there was so much other construction at both schools. In FY23, the buildings and grounds capital outlay was $341,400 compared to FY24 at $118,994 and FY25 at $66,700. The FY26 capital outlay request for buildings and grounds is $483,700. Most of the buildings and grounds capital outlay dollars comes from the Long Term Facilities Maintenance funds.
One of the largest spends for the LTFM dollars in FY26 will be for a new sound system in the TAHS gym. The proposed $72,000 will include new speakers so that during plays, concerts and other fine arts activities, attendees in the bleachers and on the floor will be able to hear better. In addition, new lighting in areas will eliminate dark spots on stage so all students performing are able to be seen during concerts, etc.
Some of the other LTFM proposed projects include TAHS boiler & one burner replacements for $120,970. filling cracks in the TAHS parking lots and repair damaged areas and reply clear sealant for $88,910, replace south courtyard doors and replace east courtyard doors in cafeteria for $62,780. These courtyard doors are the original single pane glass and let in a lot more cold air. All other courtyard glass has been replaced with double pane glass. The high school gym floor and VMC gym floor would be recoated for $13,400 in the proposed capital outlay.
In other areas of the capital outlay, district wide the proposal included $64,940 for the postage meter annual lease, copy machine contracts and the JMC student management system. Another $14,100 is for a Chariot burnisher for the floors at the high school. Safe schools funds for $23,390 covers part of the cost for the school counselor. The proposal for the secondary school is $83,150 and includes Kitchen Aid mixers, office furniture, English curriculum and a hallway TV that will be used near the concessions stands to showcase student achievements during events and advertisers support.
The elementary school proposal for $125,340 includes a new language arts curriculum, screen dividers, couches for the media center, white board activity tables for several of the classrooms as well as other classroom supplies. The technology request is for $185,656, which is $110,367 less than FY25 as none of the classes of student computers will be replaced in FY26. The technology proposal includes include the SWWC data privacy and SWWC cybersecurity ($13,545) as well as 13 network switches, SFP’s (fiber optical transmitter) and licensing ($56,323), STARRS Online Academy ($20,000), FastBridge Fasttrack ($11,000), Thrillshare Apptegy ($9,000) and a new server and software licensing ($6,000) and other technology requests.
The district-wide library includes $3,000 for elementary books, $3,000 for secondary books and $2,800 for Alexandria license for the elementary and secondary libraries.
Each year, the football helmets and shoulder pads must be reconditioned at a cost of $12,100. In addition, uniforms for the FY26 include boys and girls basketball ($10,000), junior high football integrated pants ($600) and baseball uniforms ($3,500).
The second reading and final approval of the capital outlay request will take place at the May 19 school board meeting.
Anderson also gave a legislative update and went over Gov. Tim Walz’s proposed budget bill and the cuts to education funding as to how they could affect TAPS. The next biennium (FY27) looks to have a $6 billion deficit. Walz’s current proposal includes cuts of $240 million to the education budget in FY26. In addition, the basic formula allowance increases for FY26 and FY27 are in jeopardy.
Some of the areas the legislature is reviewing include the compensatory funding. This funding is based on free and reduced lunches population. The state is looking at revamping this and that could result is $125,000 less for Tracy school district. Anderson is hoping that there is hold harmless. Another proposed cut is non-public transportation. TAPS receives $25,000 to help with transportation of St. Mary’s students. Supt. Anderson said that the school would continue the transportation, the school just would not get the state assistance. Another proposed cut that could affect TAPS include reduced school library aid.
“This is his plan, it doesn’t mean it will happen,” Anderson said. “Along with the deficit, we always hope for a 2.5% increase in the formula amount for eduction. But with the 6 million dollar deficit, that’s in jeopardy. I don’t know what is going to happen. I don’t know where we will be with that in the next couple years and we need to be looking at it.
“The main thing I want everyone to be aware of is with the deficit coming, there will be reductions in education,” Anderson added. “Where it will end up being, I don’t know. The problem is they put on so many mandates the last couple years and so many programs and they don’t have way to continue them. Now that the money has run out, they look back at the district and unfortunately it will probably be on our shoulders and our taxpayers and that’s not right. We’ll continue to watch that.”
In other board news:
• The board approved the 2025-2026 TAPS calendar with the first day of school being Tues., Sept. 2, winter break Dec. 24 - Jan. 2, graduation on May 24, 2026 and the final day for students May 28, 2026.
• The board approved a resolution for $27,500 for engineering costs for a walking path from TAES to TAHS on Pine St. This was approved as a motion at the December meeting but Safe Routes to School required it to a resolution.
• The board approved purchases from the food service fund including 13 tables at the elementary school ($23,932), five tall tables and 30 chairs at the high school ($22,931) and a Combi oven at the elementary school for $30,000.
• The board approved the 2025-2026 grounds contract with Jim Christian.
• The board passed a resolution accepting donations including $1,000 from Dennis & Marilyn Christensen for the Denis Christensen TeKrony Scholarship, an anonymous donation of $60 for TAHS scholarship and $500 donation from Stephens Funeral Service for the Stephens Funeral Scholarship.
