(KMZA)--Teachers in Prairie Hills USD 113 will be getting new laptop computers.

The USD 113 Board of Education approved the purchase of 135 laptops in the amount of nearly $123,000 ( $122,850) when they met Monday evening.

The existing laptop computers are 5 ½ years old.

Superintendent Todd Evans said plans are to utilize funding through the federal Emergency Connectivity Fund program for the purchase.

In other business, Evans said the Board voted to move forward with a HVAC improvement project at the Sabetha High School, Axtell and Wetmore schools as presented by mechanical engineer Scott McKinley. The project is to be funded with federal Covid relief funds. Installation is to happen this summer.

The Board approved a resolution for publication of the intent to enter into a five-year lease purchase agreement with GN Bank for the principal amount of $2.4 million to finance a new contruction project at the Sabetha Elementary School.

Evans said the Board approved the 2021-22 budget as published. He said property in the former USD 441 area is anticipated to see a mill levy of 49.01, while the former USD 488 area will be a mill levy of about 43.02. The bond issue being paid off in the former USD 441 area is the reason for the difference.

Also approved was a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral rate as established under new legislation approved by the Kansas Legislature this year.

Approval of the resolution and budget followed two hearings drawing no public comment.