School board committee advances 2026 budget line items, approves multiple staff and program changes

The school board's committee of the whole met in a special call to consider A05/2026 budget line items and approved multiple line-item motions, covering millage, salaries, personnel changes and security equipment funding.

The committee considered whether to request additional millage and how to move program-specific collections into the general fund. "It was the original recommendation of the superintendent to not ask for millage," Miss Hart, a staff member presenting the budget, told the committee; she then led members through individual line items so the board could vote on each. The committee also approved moving current-year 4K collections into the general fund, subject to actual pupil counts that determine the final dollars collected.

Why it matters: The committee's votes set the district's proposed budget lines that will be presented at the public hearing and next steps toward the board's first reading. Several personnel and compensation decisions will affect operating costs and school staffing next year.

Key decisions and discussion:

- Millage: The superintendent's recommendation to ask for zero additional millage was presented for a board vote. Presenting staff stressed the recommendation reflects the superintendent's proposal and the committee discussed next steps before the public hearing.

- 4K collections: The committee voted to move the district's 4K program collections into the general fund; staff noted the final amount depends on the number of paying students in the 4K at-risk program.

- Bus drivers and non-teaching staff pay: Presenters noted state law requires at least a 2% increase on the state bus-driver scale. Miss Hart told the committee, "We have to at least meet the minimum 2% on the state. That is required by state law." The committee approved a 2% cost-of-living (COLA) on the district schedule for bus drivers and approved a 2% increase for non-teaching staff as recommended by the superintendent.

- Personnel changes: The committee approved several staffing items presented by the superintendent, including adding an additional translator position, converting a part-time front-office position at Robert Anderson to full-time, and adding six interventionists for middle and high schools. The body also approved budgeting for a multilingual teacher post and continued the elementary alternative classroom that began in January.

- Teaching assistants: A motion to eliminate 25 teaching assistant positions was moved and seconded; the motion included a specific fiscal figure referenced by presenters as $1,172,680 for that reduction. The committee took the motion to a vote and the presenters recorded the result as approved.

- Board compensation: Committee members debated reducing the budgeted board compensation to reflect four board members who pledged not to accept the payment. Speakers noted the ethics commission review and the effect of future elections on timing. The motion to reduce the line item was discussed and a roll-call-style hand vote was taken; members also observed the board's transparency obligations and that any individual acceptance of compensation would be public record.

- Security equipment and leases: The committee discussed a large security-equipment budget item and whether to purchase outright using sales-tax funds or to lease. Presenters said the vendor quoted a financing/lease package in the range cited during the meeting (a $944,000 lease figure was shown to the committee) and described a four-year lease structure with recurring subscription/maintenance costs. Miss Hart summarized, "This is just putting the money into the budget. It's not purchasing the equipment." Committee members discussed warranty, subscription costs and whether leasing could provide refreshes of technology as it evolves.

- Sick leave payout: The committee approved a sick-leave payout policy point set at $65 per day for eligible days beyond the stated cap. Presenting staff estimated the associated cost in the current budget workpapers and said the first payout would be made after June 30, 2026; presenters also reminded members that tax withholdings will reduce gross payout amounts for employees.

Votes and next steps: For multiple line items the committee recorded unanimous approval during the meeting; presenters said additional budget details may arrive before the public hearing. Staff will distribute updated materials after the next board meeting and the district will publish public-hearing notices prior to the hearing and first reading.

Ending: The committee completed the A05/2026 line-item votes and adjourned the special call; staff told members they will circulate further budget information between the upcoming Tuesday meeting and the public hearing period.