The Pleasant Valley School District is spending almost a million dollars on furniture for the middle school. The purchase was approved during their meeting Thursday night.

Sue Kresge, the president of the school board, explained that the majority of the furniture is being paid for through a little more than $3.5 million Ready to Learn grant for the state. The money has specific things that it can be spent on, which must be for the students. For this reason, the $216,531 for the furniture for the teachers is going to be covered by the Capital Reserve Fund.

Another stipulation by the state for the funds is that each year’s allotment be spent by June 30.

“If we don’t use this money, we lose it,” Kresge said. “Even after taking out the middle school furniture, we still have a little over $400,000 that we need to spend by June 30.”

Assistant Superintendent Rae Lyn Howard said there are more areas in which they can spend the money.

“I just want to make everyone aware of the value of this state grant money and how much we received,” Kresge said. “Its wonderful money for us that we can do things for certain areas and we don’t have to ask our tax payers to support.”

The furniture for the middle school is going to be purchased from Premier Environments for a total cost of $935,824.60. The furniture expenditures include:

• Student furniture: $687,138.19, consisting of 351 chairs and tables specific for STEM classes, TV studio, science, cafeteria and collaboration activities, plus an unspecified number of students desks for $310,417.92 and chairs for $197,046;

• Esports: 12 chairs without the school logo: $3,207.60;

• Music room furniture: $22,467.81, which consists of 105 music chairs, 25 music stands, and 69 pieces of furniture including podiums, chairs, and maneuverable stands, and;

• Teacher furniture: $216,531, consists of 67 each of whiteboards, book bag hooks and lecterns; and 64 each of chairs, center drawers, and desk modesty panels; and 64 each of two different types of file cabinets.

Superintendent James Konrad said, “By making this investment, we are ensuring that our students have a better learning environment, which contributes to their academic success and overall well-being.”

Konrad said the school district also plans to purchase new furniture for the elementary and intermediate schools.

The school board also approved purchasing two utility vehicles for the athletic trainers. These will be purchased from Azzy Powersports for $15,642.99, and it will be paid from the St. Luke’s Sponsorship funds.

The contracts approved by the school board include:

• IntegraOne — Microsoft server, standard edition with Software Assurance, from April 1 to March 31, 2026, $3,864;

• IntegraOne — HP Aruba wireless controllers with 5 years Network Central subscription and hardware warranty. Total cost is $42,385.74; eRate cost is $33,908.59. The school district’s cost is $8,477.15;

• IntegraOne — HP Aruba wireless networking access points with 5 years Aruba Central AP Foundation subscription and installation. Total cost is $393,077.22; eRate cost, $314,461.78. The school district cost is $78,615.44;

• MasterLibrary — Facilities use scheduling and maintenance ticketing system subscription plus start-up fee; July 1 to June 30, 2026; $10,100;

• Streamside Solutions — HVAC scheduling and monitors software subscription plus start-up fee; $4,540;

• Bay Image — 10 foot x 40 foot wall mural for the high school to be delivered in Summer 2027. Total cost is $5,300 to be paid for by the Class of 2024.