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Ad hoc finance committee urges passage of April 1 referendum, outlines cuts and accountability requests
Summary
The board’s ad hoc finance committee recommended support for a three‑year, $40 million operational referendum on April 1 and delivered a public memo listing prior cuts, suggested SMART goals for use of funds, and a call for clearer community accountability on spending and consequences if the referendum fails.
Carol Fox, chair of the ad hoc finance committee, presented the committee’s recommendations and a public memo on Feb. 18 urging support for the district’s April 1 operational referendum. The committee recommended passage and provided a set of priorities and communications points the board should adopt to explain why the referendum is necessary.
What the committee reported: The ad hoc group said it had reviewed the district’s 2024‑25 budget and the cuts recommended last fall and concluded that without new revenue the district faces progressively larger deficits (the memo cited a projected first‑year shortfall in the millions). The committee circulated a categorized list of proposed/implemented cuts (classroom and program reductions, administrator and teacher position changes) and a list of specific positions grouped by category.
Recommendations and requested actions: The committee asked the board to (1) clearly communicate the concrete program and staff reductions already made, (2) publish specific, measurable goals for how referendum funds would be used (including improved learning environment indicators, teacher retention targets and salary competitiveness), (3) regularly report progress and metrics to the public, and (4) prepare a public plan that outlines the consequences if the referendum fails.
Why it matters: Committee members said the district’s academic and co‑curricular programs — from CTE to fine arts and student supports — are at risk if the referendum fails. Committee members emphasized that voters should see a direct return on investment and that the board must present evidence of fiscal accountability and measurable outcomes.
Board reaction: Members thanked the committee for its work and asked staff to incorporate the memo’s recommended goals into district messaging and planning for the referendum outreach schedule.
