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Superintendent lists year-one accomplishments; flags staffing stability, radio upgrades and budget uncertainty
Summary
Superintendent Dustin summarized the district's year-one accomplishments — including completed roofing and chiller projects, free breakfast and lunch implementation, and staffing that is nearly fully recruited — and outlined priorities ahead such as geo bond planning, countywide radio upgrades and preparing for expected budget challenges.
Superintendent Dustin presented a month-by-month recap of accomplishments from his first year and outlined priorities for the coming months, including facilities work, safety communications upgrades and budget planning.
Among completed projects Dustin listed: middle school and high school roofing projects and the high school chiller project. He said the district implemented free breakfast and lunch across the corporation and had a successful summer meals program that generated increased participation. Dustin also described changes in administrative structures, new safety and discipline processes (PSW), and an increase in classroom walk-throughs: "Across the school year, our admin team did 478 instructional walk throughs," he said.
On staffing, Dustin reported the district is effectively fully staffed for certified positions, with just one newly posted opening after an internal move. "To say out loud that we are that close to fully staffed is incredible," he said, and added the district expected to finish classified hiring soon.
Looking ahead, Dustin said the district will plan geo bond projects and has purchased countywide radios tied to the district’s FCC channels so buildings and central office can communicate across the county without relying on cellphone networks. "We will have our channel. ... We have our own FCC channels," he said, adding the radios will interoperate with bus/transportation analog channels.
Dustin warned of budget challenges in the coming year tied to statewide funding changes and unknown assessed-value figures expected in August. "We're entering a tough season in August. We know that," he said, noting the district plans to keep operations status quo for 2025–26 but acknowledged the next budget cycle (calendar year 2026) will affect school-year 2026–27 planning.
Dustin closed by thanking staff and noting community outreach events, including the county fair and athletic fundraisers, and committed to updating the board as planning and budget details are finalized.
