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Finance director outlines improving budget trends; board greenlights study of later secondary start times and a task force to report back
Summary
District finance staff presented monthly budget status showing improved net activity and asked the board to authorize a task force to evaluate a later start time for secondary schools. The board supported forming a task force, requested stakeholder outreach and asked staff for a December proposal if the plan moves forward.
District finance staff presented a monthly budget status showing improved expenditures relative to revenues compared with recent years and outlined a next step: a task force to study later start times for secondary students.
Travis, a district finance staff member, said general‑fund trends are improving: December net activity was positive for the first time in two years, and projected year‑end figures showed the district moving toward a small positive balance after recent corrections. He told the board that monthly reporting will include “projected days of operation” to show progress toward financial stability and that he will bring a regular fiscal update to future meetings.
Transportation and start‑time discussion: Brian and Kyle from transportation presented a sample “cost‑neutral” schedule that would shift secondary start times later but could require earlier elementary starts (some sample schedules showed elementary starts as early as 6:45 a.m.). Board members asked for more detail on cost drivers, whether neighboring districts would align start times for shared programs (Delta High, Tri‑Tech, Running Start) and how athletic transportation and 0‑hour options would be handled.
The board authorized staff to form a task force to research a later secondary start time, to solicit student, parent and community input and to return with a formal recommendation. Directors asked staff to be flexible with timelines but suggested a target proposal for the December board meeting so the district could consider implementation in the 2026‑27 school year if adopted. Staff said a task force modeled on prior balanced calendar committees and with students, parents, transportation and program representatives would be appropriate.
Board members reiterated that additional modeling should include potential transportation costs (drivers, buses), effects on extracurriculars and coordination with regional partners. No formal budget vote was taken at the meeting; board members expressed preliminary support for pursuing study and community engagement.
