The School Department presented its FY26 budget priorities to the Finance Committee, focusing on leadership restructuring at the PreK–8 school, expanding pre‑K access, and using a TELP approach for facilities projects.

The superintendent said a single principal model has not effectively met the needs of a large PreK–8 school that serves roughly 730–780 students across a wide age range. She proposed creating three “pods” (PreK–2, Grades 3–5, Grades 6–8) under one principal with an assistant principal assigned to each pod to specialize in the age range, behavior supports and special‑education coordination. “Putting 700 and plus kids, 730 to 780 kids, ranging in ages from pre k to 8 under 1 roof is highly complicated,” she said.

The presentation also requested funding to expand pre‑K by two classrooms (to four total) using off‑site space under district curriculum oversight because the district lacks space in the main building. The superintendent said demand is strong and the current two classrooms are full with a wait list.

Other FY26 priorities included curriculum updates (noting textbooks in some subjects have not been updated in seven to eight years), technology upgrades, gifted and talented staffing expansion, a remote learning program for students unable to attend in person, transportation and bus garage planning, and workforce recruitment and retention. The superintendent said federal grant funding for FY26 appears stable and that Hancock County superintendents met with the state education commissioner and felt “confident FY26 is not going to be affected with the burden of federal money being stripped away.”

Why it matters: leadership and pre‑K changes aim to address communication and behavior challenges in the large PreK–8 building and to expand access to early education. The superintendent asked committee members for feedback before the March 25 presentation to the council and the school board’s April 8 budget vote.

Ending: The superintendent said she will return with facilities data and TELP results at the next meeting and encouraged councilors to send questions so the school board’s April 8 vote reflects committee input.