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Academics budget shifts: consumables moved from ESSER, band uniforms and science kit refurbishments included
Summary
District academic leaders described FY2026 changes including shifting $600,000 of consumables from ESSER to the general fund, a $125,000 request for high‑school band uniforms and scheduled refurbishment of K–8 science kits; professional learning spending will focus on in‑state and virtual options.
Doctor Scott, presenting the academics and student supports portion of the FY2026 budget, summarized a modest net increase for the division driven primarily by the transfer of consumable purchases previously paid from ESSER grants into the general fund.
Scott said that consumables totaling just over $600,000 were moved to the general fund because ESSER funds have sunsetted. The academics request rose from about $8.5 million in FY2025 to $8.8 million for FY2026 (an increase Scott quantified as $261,276) after those changes and a small set of planned additions. Those additions include a $125,000 allotment for band uniforms for both high schools (based on vendor quotes) and a multi‑year program to refurbish science kits used in kindergarten through eighth grade on a three‑year cycle; Scott said many grade levels rely on lab consumables and this refurbishment is routine.
Scott said the division is reducing spending on outside consultants and curriculum‑resource coaching because schools are beyond initial implementation phases for newly adopted resources; the district will rely more on internal staff and a professional‑learning platform. Travel and conference attendance budgets will prioritize in‑state and virtual professional learning and generally limit out‑of‑state travel.
Board member Linda Davis asked how the district will ensure quality and consistency if outside contractors are reduced. Scott described multiple measures: a district professional‑learning catalog and platform with participant feedback forms, routine needs assessments to set training priorities, building‑level instructional coaching and follow‑up classroom observations tied to school improvement plans. Scott said feedback and needs‑assessment results drive convocation sessions and summer curriculum work, and noted a reduction in summer curriculum costs because staff are now in a revision phase rather than adopting entirely new resources.
No final vote on the academic budget lines occurred at the hearing; the items remain part of the overall FY2026 draft the board will consider for final approval.
