ROCORI board approves administrative budget recommendations; curriculum and technology upgrades highlighted

The ROCORI School Board approved administrative budget recommendations covering program realignments, capital needs and technology upgrades and also passed an annual resolution directing the superintendent to continue program reviews for improvements and reductions.

Superintendent Kevin and district administrators presented a package of administrative recommendations that outlined about $600,000 in capital allocations, a proposed $377,000 replacement for language-arts and reading curriculum, and technology priorities that included replacing a network core and battery-backup system. The administration described smaller reductions and realignments achieved by attrition and program changes; the presentation identified roughly $65,000 in near-term reductions without layoffs.

On curriculum, the administration proposed a K–5 foundational program called UFLI for early literacy and a knowledge-building K–5 program from Great Minds (Arts & Letters) and recommended a middle-school English materials set from HMH with writable/AI feedback features for increased student writing practice. Administrators reported that special-education and multilingual-learner staff had participated in review and that a companion pre-teaching module would support students needing scaffolding.

Technology needs were emphasized as an urgent item. Administrators said the district’s network core and battery-backup are reaching end of support and estimated replacement costs for core network switches and backups; preliminary E‑Rate funding could reimburse roughly 50–60% of eligible costs after project completion. The district also considered surveillance upgrades, with vendor estimates ranging from about $250,000 to $600,000 to comprehensively modernize cameras and access systems; administrators noted options to phase projects and to include safety-related elements in a future technology referendum (referendum due 2027).

iPad and device refresh: the administration proposed replacing elementary iPads and moving fourth- and fifth-grade students to Chromebooks. The proposal included an up-to-$100,000 figure for devices and a plan to explore 0% financing where available; trustees asked for final vendor quotes prior to final procurement.

The administrators also reviewed operating pressures from pending state proposals. The presentation flagged several legislative risks that could offset new formula increases: a potential elimination of nonpublic transportation funding (approximately $175,000 to the district), possible reductions in compensatory aid (up to about $150,000), potential changes to Q-Comp and employer obligations from paid family leave and unemployment funding for seasonal workers. The administration said those developments could reduce the net benefit of any state formula increase.

Board action and motions: trustees approved (1) a resolution directing the superintendent to continue program review and improvements (motion by Jennifer; second by Kayla) and (2) the administration’s budget recommendations for the four areas presented (motion by Lynn; second by Jennifer). Both motions passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: the package includes multi-year capital and curriculum investments that affect classroom instruction, student assessment and district technology infrastructure. The administration recommended using fund balance strategically and pursuing federal E‑Rate support where eligible, while cautioning that state-level funding changes could increase fiscal pressure.

Ending: Administrators will return with vendor quotes and more detailed procurement plans; the board asked for clear outcome statements for any new position requests (for example, if the district creates an assistant activities director) showing expected benefits to students and the community.