October 10, 2025
Dear Hastings Families and Staff,
At the October 7th Board of Education Meeting, several important reports were shared with the community. These presentations reflect our continued attention to ensuring the fiscal and facility wherewithal required for advancing student intellectual and social-emotional growth.
Below you’ll find summaries of each presentation, along with links to the full reports.
Annual Audit Report Presentation
Jeffrey C. Shaver, Partner, PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP, presented the Annual Audit Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, reaffirming the District’s strong financial standing and adherence to accounting standards.
Highlights include:
- The District received an unmodified (“clean”) audit opinion, indicating strong financial controls and compliance with all governmental auditing standards.
- The auditors identified no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls.
- There were no difficulties, disagreements, or management overrides encountered during the audit process.
- The report confirmed that management continues to maintain effective internal controls and accurately presents financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The presentation reviewed General Fund revenues and expenditures, fund balance trends, debt service, and other fund activity, all demonstrating ongoing fiscal health and stability.
This annual audit reflects the District’s steadfast commitment to fiscal discipline, transparency, and responsible stewardship of community resources.
Farragut Wing Restoration Update
Maureen Caraballo, Business Official, provided an update on the Farragut Wing Restoration Project, with the solid projection that we will be able to return to the space as of late January 2026.
Project Highlights:
- Phase 1 (Demolition & Framing): Completed January–July 2025
- Phase 2 (Construction & Finishes): Began September 2025 and remains on track for completion in January 2026
Upgrades include:
- A new, energy-efficient HVAC system meeting current code standards
- Modernized electrical systems with LED lighting and networked controls
- Enhanced fire protection and alarm systems, including sprinklers and voice evacuation
Budget Overview:
- Insurance Proceeds: $4,487,879
- District Property Loss Reserve: $1,241,140
- Total Construction Cost: $5,729,019
As discussed at length with the Board, the insurance proceeds cover roughly 95 percent of the costs required to rebuild the Farragut Wing as it had been. However, it is essential to bring the facility back to a higher and safer standard, including the noted HVAC, electrical and fire protection systems, which is the work covered by the district reserves. The Board also discussed that the Farragut Wing restoration will address the equivalent of $5-6 million in critical improvements identified in the Building Condition Survey (BCS) last year, but not included in the approved 2025 Capital Bond. All in all, these improvements will deliver a safer, more efficient, and modern learning environment when the restored space reopens in January 2026.
2025 Capital Bond Update
John Hansen, Pre-Construction Manager, Triton Construction, provided an overview of the District’s Capital Improvement Projects, outlining their role as the Construction Manager for the voter-approved 2025 Capital Bond. Triton will oversee all aspects of the work on Propositions 1-3 from planning and coordination through completion.
Key responsibilities include:
- Comprehensive project management and oversight
- Maintaining budget and schedule accountability
- Ensuring quality control and safety throughout the construction process
This presentation marked the first in a series of updates Triton will share as the bond projects move forward. Most immediately:
- A community forum on the Athletic Fields (Prop 3) will be held on Monday, October 27th, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Hillside School.
- At the November 4, 2025, Board of Education meeting, the District’s architects, accompanied by Triton, will present schematic designs for the portions of the bond related to the Farragut Complex (Prop 2) and the Athletic Fields (Prop 3).
Student Voices for Equity
Public Comment was noteworthy for the five High School students who spoke with critical compassion about the need for district leadership to engage deeply in advancing equity and excellence for all students. Particular attention was requested for curriculum, pedagogy, programming, professional learning and staffing that rigorously reflects our students of color. Many of the points echoed the recommendations and action steps in the Preliminary Review of Independent Analyses of Cultural Competence in Hastings, which was presented to the BOE on July 14, 2025. District leadership will redouble efforts to address the needs identified by both the student leaders and the external experts.
Highlights of Student Good News
As occurs at each Board meeting, I shared highlights and celebrations from across all three schools through the Superintendent’s Report, which includes classroom look-ins, cultural events, and upcoming district-wide activities.
For those who were unable to attend, you can watch the full Board of Education meeting HERE.
Thank you for your continued support as we move forward with these important initiatives for our students, staff, and community.
Be well.
William S. McKersie, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
