Administrators brief board on legislative changes affecting school funding, special‑education reimbursements and mandates

District leaders gave the board a detailed legislative update on June 23, summarizing items from the special session (House File 5) and other enacted bills that affect school budgets, program rules and operations.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Lunick and staff highlighted key changes: a one‑year hold‑harmless for compensatory funding (through FY27) and the formation of a 14‑member legislative task force to study longer‑term changes; reductions to some categorical aids (including student‑support personnel aid and school library aid); and a two‑step reduction in special‑education transportation reimbursement (from 100% toward 95% in FY26 and further reductions thereafter as noted by state action).

Administrators also reviewed changes that affect operations and compliance: clarified attendance‑tracking rules, updated requirements for a model cardiac emergency response plan and epinephrine/overdose response policies, modifications to the Read‑Act timeline and training requirements, and adjustments to long‑term facility maintenance accounting (including a new option to bundle roofs in certain cases). The district said some changes will increase administrative or compliance costs while others provide new flexibilities (for example, modest new flexibility for Fund 2 food‑service spending on kitchen improvements).

Staff called attention to pension and paid‑leave changes: TRA employer contribution increases were raised in the FY26 discussion, and the state has adjusted paid‑leave premium caps and employer/employee splits that districts must incorporate into future budgets. The administration also noted pending rulemaking and several task forces the legislature created (Compensatory Revenue Working Group, Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education and others), and said it will monitor outcomes.

The board received the report; no action was required at the meeting.