Board receives district updates on budget outlook, charter renewal, generators, ESS buildings and food-security programs

District staff provided a series of informational updates to the board covering the governor's January budget proposal, a charter renewal timeline for Verona, plans to expand emergency power and connectivity, progress on ESS buildings and new student-support initiatives including a hydroponic unit and expanded food pantry distributions.

Chief business updates: Lisa Davis briefed the board on the governor's January budget proposal and the district's participation in school services and budget workshops. Davis said the timing for tax collection reporting was expected to shift (county tax receipts timing referenced from April toward October in state projections) and that some trailer bills and indicators remain pending. She noted the district is monitoring assumptions from the Department of Finance and school services analyses on COLA estimates.

Charter renewal: Davis reported Verona is on track for a renewal process that will include a required site visit by district staff, an upcoming public hearing before the board and a subsequent renewal decision. She explained renewal length depends on charter performance tiers and that the visit scheduled for the next day is part of the renewal review.

Generators and continuity planning: Staff reported the district currently has two very large generators and two small generators on hand and is discussing purchasing additional large units for deployment to key sites to maintain operations during planned or unplanned outages. Central Kitchen and ESS operations already have generator capacity; the goal is to be able to power sites at least through the end of a school day during outages.

ESS buildings and technology: Staff said new ESS buildings at Lakeview and Lakeside Farms are essentially complete (staff phrased progress as "about 99.9%" complete). A technology building final generator installation was scheduled for the coming days; staff warned of an overnight system shutdown to complete work and said tech staff would work through the weekend to restore services. The district also plans to procure MiFi mobile hotspots for departments and sites to preserve limited connectivity during outages.

Child nutrition and instructional supports: The central kitchen has installed a hydroponic unit for instructional use and composting work; the district plans time-lapse camera access so students and teachers can observe plant growth. The board viewed a short video about the Lehi (Lindo Park) Food Pantry, which district staff said runs twice monthly and is expanding to serve more families across the district. A campus supervisor in the video described food insecurity among families and the pantry as a trusted community resource.

Other updates: Human Resources reported the teacher-of-the-year and classified staff recognition processes are underway. The district also noted upcoming LCAP engagement and midyear reporting and preparations for ELPAC testing and English-learner support work.

These items were informational and did not require board action at this meeting.