Ephrata School Board Approves Savings Measures and Educational Investments in March Meeting

The Ephrata School Board met on March 25, 2024, and made several key decisions. The public was invited, and Aaron Cummings was recognized as the new assistant superintendent.

A significant decision was the approval of Resolution 2023-2024-5. This resolution instructs staff to invest the remaining state match dollars from the 2019 bond. This move, supported by the U.S. Bank Trust Company, will save Ephrata taxpayers about $8.1 million over 15 years. The savings will start in December 2028 when the bond can be called.

The board approved a $150,000 Career Preparation and Launch Grant from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). This grant will help the district buy and install equipment for career and technical education. It will support the Health Sciences Program and the Agriculture / Welding Program at Ephrata High School.

The board approved the purchase of an Anatomage Table, a virtual dissection tool, for the high school. The table costs $113,649, mostly funded by the OSPI grant, with the rest covered by the district’s budget. They also approved a welding simulation system costing $28,162, fully funded by the OSPI grant.

Finally, the board approved the purchase of a Farmbot for Ephrata Middle School, funded by a $5,000 grant. The robot will be used in the new greenhouse, set to be installed in May 2024. The board also approved the purchase of network equipment, funded by the E-Rate program, a Federal Communications Commission initiative.

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