Board members and staff reported on a recent meeting with newly seated state legislators and previewed issues they will monitor during the current legislative session, highlighting state funding, open enrollment and voucher/ESA proposals.

Jason, a district staff member who led the legislative update, said he and Dr. Jerome met with freshman legislators Carolyn Kayden and Ron Fowler on the opening days of the 2025 session to describe district facilities projects (Career Innovation Center, storm shelters, PAC additions) and to explain local priorities. “We need to do better at telling our story,” Jason said, connecting the student-supports presentation to outreach priorities for legislators.

Key issues flagged for the board and new legislators included the state’s foundation funding formula, transportation funding volatility, concerns over voucher and tax-credit expansions and the potential for open‑enrollment changes. Staff emphasized local control and the district’s interest in maintaining an even playing field for public schools across urban and rural districts. The presentation noted aspects of prior legislation (voucher/ESA expansions and income thresholds mentioned in the meeting) and urged continued communication with legislators.

Why it matters: Changes in state funding, open-enrollment rules or voucher expansion could affect enrollment forecasting, retirement deadlines and the district’s local budget planning. Board members asked staff to keep communication lines open and to contact legislators directly when questions arise.

What’s next: Staff said they will share ongoing legislative updates with the board as the session proceeds and plan further outreach; no formal board lobbying action or vote was recorded at the work session.

Ending: Board members described the meeting as positive and emphasized continued contact with legislators is a priority for the coming months.