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District presents FastBridge screening data and certified-budget timing ahead of April public hearings
Summary
At the March 17 meeting Lewis Central administrators reviewed FastBridge literacy and math screening results, described literacy interventions and implementation plans, and explained certified-budget timing and tax-levy estimates ahead of the April budget public hearing.
Lewis Central Comm School District administrators on March 17 briefed the board on academic screening results from FastBridge, district literacy plans and the certified-budget cycle ahead of public hearings scheduled in April.
Curriculum and assessment: Dr. Hartman (curriculum/assessment lead in the transcript) outlined the district’s first-year use of FastBridge as the K–8 literacy and math screener and showed fall-to-winter benchmarking and growth measures. The district is tracking students who moved from below benchmark to meeting benchmark and those who maintained benchmark levels; spring screening was scheduled to open April 21. Dr. Hartman said the district is implementing a phonics program (UFLY) at two primary schools, continuing LETRS training for teachers and building a district literacy plan that elementary teams will complete as a living document. Building teams will create individualized plans (I-Plans) and interventions based on screening results; staff noted special-education subgroups had driven part of the state identification and that the data informed SAMI improvement planning.
Finance and budget timing: Mrs. Reyes (business manager) reviewed the certified-budget comparison and explained how construction-payment timing affects the fiscal year in which costs appear. She noted that the certified budget is set using the prior year’s assumptions and that the district expects to finalize the FY-26 certified budget after state supplemental-aid figures are released. The superintendent explained a common source of public confusion: tax-notice figures distributed before supplemental-aid finalization can show a higher “maximum” levy; the district will set its final levy in April after state numbers are known. The board scheduled the FY-26 budget public hearing for April 7 and a later hearing for certified budget maximum authority on April 21.
Quotes from meeting participants: Dr. Hartman said the district expects immediate FastBridge results and that spring screening would provide another progress data point. Mrs. Reyes said she will adjust construction amounts in the certified budget depending on whether payments occur in June or later and that the district will reuse funds not spent in the current fiscal year in setting the next year’s budget.
Administrators asked trustees to expect additional budget details at the April meetings and to review the district-provided screening and budget materials before the public hearings.
