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Board discusses 2025 summer school plan; funding changes from state highlighted
Summary
Superintendent-designate and staff reviewed the district’s summer school plan, noting recent legislative and reimbursement changes that affect which courses will be reimbursed and how offerings will be delivered.
District leaders reviewed a proposed 2025 summer school plan and told trustees they will return to the board with a formal recommendation at a future meeting.
Superintendent-designate Dr. Joshua Saint John summarized key changes: “for second graders who are at risk as measured by iRead in the second grade, and third graders who do not pass iRead, the school district is required to offer summer school, and those courses will be funded at the priority, as determined by the IDOE,” he said. He also described two reimbursement categories and said the district expects to know the state appropriation within a month, which will determine how much of the program cost will be reimbursed.
Why it matters: Changes in state policy and funding affect how the district can run summer instruction, what in‑person offerings remain, and whether the district can charge fees for non‑reimbursable courses.
Key details discussed: - Reimbursable courses: State rules require summer instruction for certain K–3 students based on iRead results; those courses will be prioritized for IDOE reimbursement. - In-person offerings: The district intends to continue band camp (band in July) even though band is no longer on the state’s reimbursable list; band remains important to marching band preparation. - High school: A limited number of in-person courses (band and physical education) are proposed for high school students; some seniors will be in person to complete credits needed for graduation. - Elementary: Reading instruction for K–3 will be offered in person. - Middle school: Presenters indicated there are no in-person middle-school courses planned for this summer. - Funding estimate: Presenters used historical tables and noted prior years’ reimbursement has been about 65%, and the district prepared cost scenarios assuming partial reimbursement.
Questions from trustees focused on whether the district may charge fees for courses that are not submitted for state reimbursement; staff replied that the district may charge for courses only if the district does not seek reimbursement for them.
The board did not vote on the plan during the meeting; staff said they will return with a recommendation and estimated budget once the state appropriation is known.
