Not only is Monday the first day of school, it’s also the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education’s first business meeting of the school year.

The board will continue its discussion on office furniture for the district’s new central office building.

According to the school board’s agenda, Food Lion co-founder Ralph Ketner has pledged $86,000 to assist the school district in paying for furnishings. The agenda also states the board will talk about the next steps and potential colors for the building.

During the board’s last meeting, the board approved a $500,000 line item in its capital projects budget for furniture, fixtures and equipment for the new building.

Approval didn’t come easily, however. The board initially tackled this topic at its June business meeting. When board members couldn’t come to an agreement, they decided to bring it back up at August’s work session. They did, and voted 3-2 to approve the expense. Board members Susan Cox, Jean Kennedy and Dr. Richard Miller voted in favor, while Chairman Josh Wagner and Travis Allen voted against. Dean Hunter and Chuck Hughes were not present.

The board will also discuss the possibility of allowing Cove Church to lease West Rowan High School for free on Sundays in exchange for the church to install audiovisual equipment. Both the church and school will be able to use the equipment, and the church will leave the equipment when they move out in several years.

The board will talk about a grant for a solar panel to be installed at Horizons Unlimited, relationships between board members, school nutrition and blended learning.

The board will meet Monday at 5 p.m. at the Long Street administrative offices, 110 S. Main Street in East Spencer.