At the Oct. 10 meeting, budget committee members reported that three citizen petitions had been submitted to the Timberlane school board. The petitions, as described to the committee, are: (1) a proposal to cap budget increases (the petitioner referenced a 2.5% cap), (2) a request related to a previously approved lease (the petitioner seeks to redact or reverse that lease action), and (3) a petition to rescind the warrant that permitted the district to retain a 5% unassigned fund balance.

Why it matters: Any citizen petition that reaches the warrant or ballot could change the district’s financial planning or previously approved commitments. Committee members said the petitions will be reviewed by legal counsel before inclusion on any warrant.

Committee actions: The committee chair said the petitions would be routed to legal for review. A staff member said the district will bring draft warrant language and legal feedback to subsequent school-board meetings.

Ending: Committee members said they will present warrant drafts and legal guidance to the school board as those items are developed and will include them in upcoming board packets.