The Montgomery Area School District appointed a new solicitor at their monthly meeting Tuesday night.

McCormick Law Firm will officially take the reins on Feb. 1, replacing long-time solicitor McNerney, Page, Vanderlin & Hall after the board directed district administrators to prepare and issue a Request for Proposals for the role of school district solicitor. McNerney, Page, Vanderlin & Hall chose not to submit a response to the request.

A brief statement from solicitor Thomas Marshall, who was not in attendance, was addressed by district Superintendent Dr. Joseph Stoudt.

“He and the firm wish the district all the best moving forward, and they will work with the new solicitor to ensure a smooth transition,” Stoudt said of the firm that had served the district for 40 years.

In financial matters, the board adopted the 2026-27 district Act 1 Budget Tax Index Resolution. This will cap the property tax index for the 2026-27 budget at .92 mils at the highest, though the board could set the tax lower; a proposal from Dixon A.C.& R. Corporation to furnish and install one AAON replacement hot water heating coil HVAC unit at a cost of $9,433; electrical and mechanical bids from Dixon A.C.& R for boiler replacement, in the amount of $432,766 total.

Several change orders for the Montgomery Junior/Senior High School Additions and Renovations Project were approved. From Lobar: add $2,247 to provide metal studs and drywall over hollow metal frames and provide framing and fire-rated drywall to protect structure above the mezzanine level control room; $3,851 to provide the additional steel; $2,702 to provide additional fire extinguisher cabinets and extinguishers; $1,536 to provide a temporary open trench to direct rainwater from the new outlet away from the building; $15,834 to install an additional water line required by the differences between the bidding documents and the signed Land Development Plan; $5,472 to install a new sewer lateral from the building to the lateral existing at the manhole in Old Road; $1,835 to provide two pieces of miscellaneous steel. From Silvertip (plumbing and HVAC): $3,816 to provide backflow preventer for tank make-up water supply; $3,201 to reconfigure duct.

The next board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Feb. 1.