Committee declines to finalize 2025–26 school‑choice spots; calls for public hearing and more financial/service data

Christine, a district administrator, told the committee the district currently accepts 231 school‑choice students (down from 247 the previous year) and proposed targeted increases in particular grades based on projected class sizes. Recommendations included four additional kindergarten slots in Grade 2 at LGN, two in Grade 3 at JCS, up to 10 in Grade 7, and caps of five in Grade 8 and in Grades 9–10; administrators emphasized projections were designed to preserve average class sizes and maintain flexibility for resident moves.

Committee members asked how siblings and staff exceptions would be handled (administration said siblings are permitted by regulation; staff‑child exceptions are typically contract perks and would not be covered by school‑choice tuition if the district stopped accepting school‑choice students). Members also asked whether Medicaid or other special‑education reimbursements follow school‑choice students; administrators said the district submits eligible services to Medicaid and will research how reimbursements are allocated between resident and nonresident districts.

After discussion, a committee member moved to approve the school‑choice numbers as presented; the motion was seconded. The meeting audio shows the motion received affirmative responses but then the chair recorded the motion as “denied” and several members asked for clarification. The subsequent discussion concluded more information was needed. The transcript records no final approval of the recommended school‑choice increases.

Committee members asked administration to produce: (1) a detailed breakdown of current school‑choice students by grade and services received, (2) revenue and cost estimates tied to school‑choice enrollment (including tuition/reimbursements and additional special‑education costs), (3) counts of staff children and siblings currently enrolled, and (4) legal/contract implications if the district elects to stop accepting new school‑choice students. The committee discussed but did not adopt a freeze; instead members instructed administration to prepare the requested data and to schedule any required public hearing if the committee decides to change its school‑choice status before the May 1 state deadline.

No new school‑choice policy was adopted at the March 26 meeting; administrators said they will return with additional information and noted that any change in school‑choice status requires a public‑hearing process under state rules.