JCC Board Approves Teachers’ Salary, Lease-Purchase Agreement

In a 5-1 vote, the Board of Education at Johnson County Central Schools approved a resolution to authorize a lease-purchase agreement with D.A. Davidson & Co., to acquire, construct and equip facilities for the District. This agreement will not exceed $3,100,000. This construction project involves renovations to Johnson County Central’s high school facility in a two to three year time frame. Money from the building fund will be used for this renovation project but the actual cost will not be known until bids are received.
Paul Grieger, a representative of DA Davidson & Co., was in attendance and indicated that entering into a lease-purchase agreement will serve as an insurance policy and JCC Schools would receive the $3,100,000 in a timely fashion instead of waiting until the school needed the funding. The funds in this lease-purchase agreement will only be utilized as necessary should an emergency arise, such as additional emergency repairs.
Some of the renovations in the high school facility include its HVAC (heating/ventilation and air-conditioning) system, sprinkler system for fire suppression, kitchen equipment, concrete surrounding the building and secure entry ways. LED lighting is expected to be installed in the industrial shop area and art room. Other immediate repairs may include a new fire alarm panel upon the requirements of the State Fire Marshal’s office. Additional fire extinguishers will be installed. All wood paneling must be removed. Exit signs will be repaired or installed.
During the summer of 2024, some of the kitchen equipment was updated, including freezers and dishwashers. A new ventilation hood with a suppression system was installed in the kitchen during the summer of 2025. Exterior concrete has started with the cutting down of curbs and lips during December 2024.
Board Member Dan Jones liked the idea of spreading the funding for the high school renovations over a time frame of two to three years rather than spending the building fund all in one year.
Board member Jon Schmid wanted to spend the building fund money responsibly and felt that approving the resolution for a lease-purchase agreement for $3,100,000 was like putting the cart before the horse. Schmid didn’t think the public would go for a lease purchase agreement at this time.
Schmid also questioned how much money Johnson County Central Schools would be paying Paul Grieger of DA Davidson & Co., for doing all the paperwork on this resolution if JCC didn’t exercise this lease purchase agreement.
Superintendent Jon Rother said the school could utilize its building fund for the renovations to the high school. Then, if something else happens unexpectedly, only then would the lease purchase agreement of $3,100,000 be utilized.
Other business
The board approved the Teachers Negotiated Agreement for the 2026-2027 school year consisting of a base pay of $43,100, which is a $1,500 increase over the 2025-2026 negotiated agreement.
The board also approved concluding its Construction Management Agreement with Boyd Jones with their completion of the pre-bond work.
Policy 6040 relating to its Pre-Kindergarten/Early Childhood Program was amended, changing the maximum capacity for the program to 31 children, instead of the previous 51. In the event where the total number of children registered for the program by July 15 rises above 31, the district will only offer the program to children with the following priority for enrollment: Resident students; Four-year-olds, At-risk children (as defined by Rule 11); Qualified five-year-old students; and Three-year-olds.
All enrollment is subject to capacity limitations and enrollment priorities established in this policy. Three-year-old children will only be offered half-day attendance.