Board adopts routine personnel, budget and vendor actions; committee reports flag $2 million reduction target

At its Feb. 19 meeting the Addison SD 4 Board of Education approved a slate of routine personnel and operational items, authorized the start of the fiscal 2026 tentative budget process and received committee reports that included a proposed $2 million reduction target for Fund 10.

Highlights from staff reports and votes

- Personnel and human-resources actions: The board approved the personnel report listing multiple hires, resignations and leaves; it also approved a resignation in lieu of termination and a formal notice of charges and dismissal for an employee named Brenda Guerrero. The personnel report and the dismissal‑notice resolution were moved and approved by roll call.

- Job descriptions and hiring authorizations: The board approved a new technology project coordinator job description and authorized the district to post the position. Separately, staff discussed a proposed central-office registrar position to consolidate enrollment and data management functions currently handled at individual schools; that position is in early discussion and will return as a later action item.

- Budget calendar and fund balance policy work: Mrs. Morgasey presented the FY2026 budget calendar and asked the board to designate the assistant superintendent of business as preparer of the tentative budget; the board approved the authorization to begin the tentative budget process. Staff said auditors requested new written policies: an outstanding-checks/unclaimed property policy, a fund-balance policy targeting 35% of annual budgeted expenditures, and a capital-assets policy defining capital assets at $5,000 and above; those policies were given a first reading and will return for action in March.

- Vendor addenda and service contracts: The board approved a one-year landscape-maintenance addendum with Berry Landscaping (3% increase) and a crossing-guard agreement amendment with Andy Frain (a 6% raise structured as 3% for 2025 and 3% for 2026). The district also received a district lighting rebate check; Mrs. Marghesi reported rebates of $209,270.50 to date and said registration for the next school year opens April 1.

- Insurance and benefits: Preliminary renewal estimates were presented: PPO rates are projected up about 8%, HMO about 7% and dental about 4%; final renewal figures will be available March 19.

- Teaching and learning updates: Staff described ongoing i‑Ready rollouts, access testing and scheduling for state science assessments in grades five and eight. The 5‑essential survey remains open through March 31; trimester 2 student learning profiles will be issued Feb. 25.

- Student discipline: The board approved the recommendation of the district’s designee on a student suspension review hearing; the board’s action followed a closed‑session review and the designee’s recommendation.

Votes at a glance (actions recorded Feb. 19)

1) Approve minutes of the Jan. 15 closed and regular sessions — approved (roll call). 2) Approve accounts payable for February 2025 (total $2,445,598.61) — approved (roll call). 3) Approve payroll for January 2025 (total $4,404,281.25) — approved (roll call). 4) Approve personnel report (hires/resignations/leaves/stipends) — approved (roll call). 5) Approve resolution to issue notice of charges and dismissal to Brenda Guerrero — approved (roll call). 6) Approve technology project coordinator job description and authorize posting — approved (roll call). 7) Approve resignation in lieu of termination (named employee) — approved (roll call). 8) Approve parental leave extensions for two licensed staff — approved (roll call). 9) Authorize start of tentative FY2026 budget process (designate preparer) — approved (roll call). 10) Approve 2025 landscape-maintenance services addendum with Berry Landscaping (3% increase) — approved (roll call). 11) Approve 2025 crossing-guard agreement addendum with Andy Frain (6% total increase across two years) — approved (roll call). 12) Approve five-year transportation contract extension with First Student — approved (roll call). 13) Approve student suspension review hearing recommendation — approved (roll call).

Several items were informational and given first readings; the board set the FY2026 budget calendar and will receive full contract text or additional contract terms when staff returns with them.