[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6395769,"mediaKeyId","2098261-fb73571e23a59bed654d8f3b81ea5c26","parentId",2098261,"title","CFO answers questions on homeless-funds, SRO fees and a new van purchase; trustees ask for clearer bill detail","audioSeconds",579,"startMs",1168000,"endMs",1747000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098261-fb73571e23a59bed654d8f3b81ea5c26&start=1168&end=1747","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098261-fb73571e23a59bed654d8f3b81ea5c26/thumbnail_1168000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6395769/Idaho/CFO-answers-questions-on-homeless-funds-SRO-fees-and-a-new-van-purchase-trustees-ask-for-clearer-bill-detail","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395769-5c5c5b18e8ec3ab4bf4ca51dabd798ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1776632854&Signature=ChmYL7B01gQwRHwZcSxvFPWrJZWwbS~L-rRDUgqRLFcj6yZsiqGYx8yNq8icQLDCj85B5MuWnUlLZ77Lu50mcmrbSt2E0MdV4VSc2gtmH3-ltijZCnmkFHgudEwh1wBCjvyGRLRUoDOyOyRy0buUGElz9XwcELQufi0BiWYBspXpT2rlqFnWLoqD1K1ANlt2PEAb6dGXCw2QMy4FiGb9oVUsuthwW8yqf2dAZiCplIrEq~-F8QvMue5I6Y4y-wu7zoGnR8owCn3aPKnnTPyScmwtnPfo44BHFWRGv5Oa57hJTC1WqZImH8iw8A2n9uwPme9YIKPyjl4kfNlNlKkP~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lakeland School District","date","2025-01-09T19:00:40Z","article","Trustees reviewed the monthly financial report and raised detailed questions about several line items, including remaining homeless-fund obligations, payments for school resource officers and a recent vehicle purchase.

Jessica Griffin, the district chief financial officer, said a remaining balance in fund 250 is the final portion of homeless funds that were obligated and later extended; reimbursements have been requested and she expects no further activity in that fund once reimbursements are processed.

A trustee asked about a $26,531.40 line shown in the bills list for resource officers; Griffin said that reflects a monthly billing and that the district pays for three SROs on a 10-month contract schedule. Later in discussion a trustee summarized the arithmetic as “a little bit over $88,100 per resource officer” (amount cited in the meeting transcript). The CFO said detailed breakout pages (three final pages in the packet) match the totals paid.

Trustees also pressed for better itemization of P-card (purchase-card) charges. The CFO explained most P-card purchases are initiated at the school level (school-based activity accounts) and then paid centrally; trustees asked for school identifiers and itemized listings so the board can review district purchases more transparently.

On a recent vehicle purchase, facilities staff explained the district purchased a 2025 Honda Odyssey for about $41,000 (presentation referenced a roughly $42,000 outlay) to replace a failing courier van. Tim Hague, facilities director, said procurement research found few modern cargo vans available and that the selected vehicle meets the district’s needs for reliably moving materials and mail between schools. Hague said the purchase was made from plant-facility funds designated for building maintenance and vehicle replacement, not the general fund; surplus/auction plans for old vehicles will be presented at a future meeting.

Trustees asked clerical follow-up: itemized legal-fee line items; clearer labeling of P-card records (for example, “P-card SLE” to show the school); and providing the breakout pages that support large BMO payments. The CFO and facilities director said they will provide the requested itemizations and projected facilities expenditures going forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","1.8.2025 Regular Meeting of the LJSD Board of Trustees","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees reviewed the monthly financial report and raised detailed questions about several line items, including remaining homeless-fund obligations, payments for school resource officers and a recent vehicle purchase.","taxTitle","LAKELAND DISTRICT, School Districts, Idaho","taxId",67848,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395773,"Board elects leadership, appoints officers and sets regular meeting schedule",242,464000,706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098261-fb73571e23a59bed654d8f3b81ea5c26&start=464&end=706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098261-fb73571e23a59bed654d8f3b81ea5c26/thumbnail_464000.jpg","/articles/6395773/Idaho/Board-elects-leadership-appoints-officers-and-sets-regular-meeting-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395773-f71503b17c77687df9024bf8afb6d6e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776632854&Signature=AHWpRknSbj3-j6u4Rv9zDOQSwxYoMa4LQA-rJqXhjcAiqxVujbRays-Q~awfd9CBmv---AtpZmgHcPWARbLt3btGO2Zn61H9dI20lRqrXTEefzij~LvoZkKEcQPQJ7tZ8V7jlB0w1mmdInE4~XnABV9jYnT6i4JIS7MhSCGS2jTkBe5jvT2PTcudj8rTmIbFWm6~n0jU-xwuJ1SuLMq~M-37qKAeo0K282du8s3ZMf3vYK9UkTvV5Xa1HMeKVXB09fh7h5vENWABRP3VSq6fItQiP0tMVZF6cqmxJzlsqVNrYETc49jXIWQn0wN3a3~0JghDA3ScPcPd44afj2eDaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its annual reorganization, the Lakeland School District Board of Trustees completed leadership elections and several formal appointments.

In the vote for board chair, trustees cast ballots for Trustee Randy Bane and Trustee Thompson. The board chair retained her position by a 3–2 tally; board members did not read individual voter names aloud but recorded the ballot counts. Trustees then elected a vice chair; Trustee Grissett won the vice-chair vote 3–2.

The board appointed Jessica Griffin, the district chief financial officer, to serve as district treasurer. The 2025 appointed-treasurers and signatories resolution was approved by roll call; the clerk read each trustee’s roll-call vote and the resolution passed.

Trustees appointed Maria Parker as clerk of the board for the remainder of her term and approved Olivia (temporary clerk in the clerk’s absence) and the custodian of records by voice votes. The board agreed to have trustees sign the code of ethics rather than read it aloud at the meeting.

On scheduling, trustees voted to move regular board meetings to the first and third weeks of each month, with financial reports scheduled on the third week to allow the finance department more time to prepare. That change passed on a voice vote.

Other routine motions on the agenda — including approval of the meeting agenda, the consent agenda and a resolution of appointed signatories — passed during the meeting.","Trustees retained Chair Thompson in a 3–2 vote, elected a vice chair, appointed the CFO as district treasurer and named Maria Parker clerk. The board also approved signatories/resolution, temporary clerk, custodian of records and set regular meetings for the first and third weeks of each month.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395778,"Parents and residents urge unity after levy defeat, warn of teacher retention risks",283,85000,368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098261-fb73571e23a59bed654d8f3b81ea5c26&start=85&end=368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098261-fb73571e23a59bed654d8f3b81ea5c26/thumbnail_85000.jpg","/articles/6395778/Idaho/Parents-and-residents-urge-unity-after-levy-defeat-warn-of-teacher-retention-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395778-b7a3b7fee928ad47a579ba2163f70e7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776632854&Signature=f0VX9Jv46~uZ9svAxW8ki6pyZjw8uWS9grSWkmAUZU2LznrV9Z67XxMJLy8CLZx6qXEgiMcHHrYjWIU1Cxmw-Lkbp7ssEY9gHZS~VH9umJu2DoqUrnZjipoR6OmiMB6FEAPsuDvLI3HuBbdkBoDVJIFNfHIvZIBEM2FScrYTv~6PywciASf~RWomR4734tgWmq859QoxRqvDM3ddZ0tG07o36FO68hvgFiGW3c3bbsRQrP9EP-zLGg8KiUQeAdIvKwhQfJS1aRCtHHZcqJYYuo7GhzaR5Ro98nOgFjzlzO5TdAjm-jybhngCf0HO17vBUWq0ePYMn0kP-qiLrYLQPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public-input portion of the meeting, two residents — one a longtime district employee and parent — urged trustees to set aside internal divisions and present a unified message to the community after a recent levy failed.

Rebecca House, a Lakeland School District staff member and parent, told the board she has worked for the district since 2000 and has lived in the district since 2004. “Since the failure of this levy, I have received nothing but looks of concern and questions about what we are going to do next,” she said, adding that she is “bewildered by how we got here” and urging the board and administration to “set aside individual agendas and come together for one agenda, the success of our district.”

House warned trustees that continued public perceptions of discord risked making Lakeland a “training ground for new teachers coming out of college who only stay for a couple of years,” and said reductions to longstanding stipends would disproportionately affect veteran staff. “Teachers have earned these because they have been here 20 plus years, are in leadership positions, are rated as distinguished,” she said.

Mary Meyer, a Spirit Lake resident, thanked outgoing board leadership for its service and urged trustees to consider rotating the chair role. She recommended Trustee Randy Bane as a candidate for chair, noting Bane’s finance background and preparation for budget challenges.

Neither public commenter proposed a specific policy action; both urged the board to present a unified community-facing message as the district plans next steps on budgeting and potential levies.","Two public commenters urged the Lakeland School District board to adopt a single, cohesive message and to avoid internal divisions after a failed levy, warning that continued turmoil could harm teacher retention and district stability.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395783,"Board says no financial emergency yet; legal counsel outlines steps for May supplemental levy",1169,2698000,3867000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098261-fb73571e23a59bed654d8f3b81ea5c26&start=2698&end=3867","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098261-fb73571e23a59bed654d8f3b81ea5c26/thumbnail_2698000.jpg","/articles/6395783/Idaho/Board-says-no-financial-emergency-yet-legal-counsel-outlines-steps-for-May-supplemental-levy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395783-698bfd58245e8c3fe5e6bcacc4cf8b9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776632854&Signature=PSSVDh3zE9ZVRcZm2xZ-wtoSYqcTfYzLLv6ni1PslX7jVqBGwxBtXu1bzaJQ8qP464pIp3A~SD8OtQHXwHM-DUpsHtXhP3Ez6aN2868UvK1aosIR6sgWp84TShNKBDJ3z58hcf~cAgsDOtgo5ubNuVnlmjWp4vNNBr68g~bVjgERhs9~I0tc8fjnrcS9N6MUnvpQ2DCCqfxHmJcQ22CA56VQvonsWbI1T9Oxdl5Vni6AjrXn1JCX4p~g~gSPIO7xaxMPZkEIiBc56whDffjO5hkdEVtYWQ9TiYqFyL66eT83uYhjEhluecMoiXC29ehKIiDcz8AlNKj-nqoVgHukQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its annual reorganization meeting, the Lakeland School District Board of Trustees heard advice from outside counsel on the legal process for declaring a financial emergency and agreed not to declare one at this time, while asking staff to prepare levy options and budget figures for an anticipated May supplemental levy.

Megan O'Dowd, outside counsel, told trustees the financial-emergency process arises under Idaho Code 33-522 and “is a formal recognition of a state of financial duress” that can trigger special steps such as reopening salary-and-benefits negotiations and, in some cases, imposing last-best offers or pursuing reductions in certificated positions through a modified due process. She said the declaration requires the district to meet statutory thresholds and that the state also must certify one of the tests.

O'Dowd described two primary statutory thresholds the district must meet: a reduction in tax revenues that had been expected (subsection d) and a general-fund balance below a statutory percentage (the state certification test). She cautioned trustees that timing and additional information from the state and the district’s budget office would be needed before a declaration could be certified, and that many of the steps are time-sensitive.

Board chair Thompson summarized the board’s position after the briefing: “Based on the information that we received this evening, it does not appear that we should be declaring a financial emergency at this point in time.” Trustees directed administration and the finance office to prepare a district budget scenario and dollar amounts for a possible supplemental maintenance-and-operations (M&O) levy so the board can consider ballot language and amounts before the county clerk’s March 31 deadline.

O'Dowd said the March–May calendar is crucial: if the board wants a May ballot, it must adopt ballot language by March 31 and expect state budget and levy impacts to be clearer in April–May. She advised trustees that negotiations with unions can begin earlier but that reopening salary-and-benefit terms and imposing last-best offers are statutory powers that become available after a declaration is made and state-certified.

The board took no formal action to declare a financial emergency; trustees instead agreed to reconvene with updated financial figures and levy options at a special meeting. The board also directed staff to circulate a corrected timeline document and to provide the CFO’s budget estimates in advance of the next meeting.","The Lakeland School District board heard legal guidance on declaring a financial emergency under Idaho law, decided not to declare one immediately and directed staff to prepare supplemental-levy planning and associated budget analysis ahead of a possible May ballot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CFO answers questions on homeless-funds, SRO fees and a new van purchase; trustees ask for clearer bill detail

Board elects leadership, appoints officers and sets regular meeting schedule

Parents and residents urge unity after levy defeat, warn of teacher retention risks

Board says no financial emergency yet; legal counsel outlines steps for May supplemental levy