OASIS Charter board approves FY2025 amendment, tentative FY2026 budget, staff longevity bonuses and superintendent contract

The OASIS Charter School Board on June 24 approved a set of resolutions that adjusted the current-year budget, adopted a tentative budget for the coming fiscal year, authorized one-time longevity bonuses for staff and renewed Superintendent Jackie Collins’ employment contract.

Board members voted to adopt Budget Amendment No. 1 for fiscal year 2025, which the presenting finance staff said increases the district’s adopted 2025 budget by $2,635,963 to a revised total of $37,807,004.63. The amendment records about $904,000 in grant awards and donations previously approved, moves $451,000 from reserves into capital for Oasis North and South playground replacements, recognizes $1,100,000 in 2024 encumbrance carry-forwards and documents a $134,000 city reimbursement tied to a portable project. The amendment also moves $38,000 into a multi-year fund for the before-and-after-care program and records several staffing reclassifications and a net addition of one bus driver for 2025.

The board then approved a tentative operating budget for fiscal year 2026 that the finance presentation described as $37,919,009.40, a 7.81% increase over the FY2025 adopted budget of $35,171,500. The FY2026 presentation noted that the percent increase reflected transferring the before-and-after-care program from the city to the charter system and additional Local Capital Improvement (LCI) funding planned for 2026. The FY2026 staffing slate presented included an estimated net increase of about 4.18 full-time-equivalent positions (including two bus drivers, an ESOL coordinator, a food-service worker, a junior counselor for the before/after program and several teacher reclassifications and additions).

Separately, the board approved a one-time longevity bonus plan to be paid on the June 27 payroll. Human-resources staff described a tiered lump-sum payout that provides $1,000 for employees with one to nine years of service and larger amounts for more-tenured employees; the packet cited 289 eligible staff and a total payout of $345,870. Board members discussed whether the payment was sustainable and staff said the money came from unspent funds in the current fiscal year.

The board also unanimously approved the annual Youth Mental Health Allocation Plan the district must file with the state. Staff described that the allocation will be used primarily to fund the district social worker (at 100%) and to supplement school guidance counselors; the plan documentation supplied to the board breaks out per-school allocations used for those positions.

On a separate resolution, the board approved the superintendent’s employment contract for the 2025–26 school year after a presentation of market comparables by HR staff. The board conducted a roll-call vote (recorded ayes from Adeseli, Jackson, Katie, Kilraign, Anaya and Santos) and the contract passed.

Finally, the board approved proposed revisions to Chapter 26 (enrollment, board terms and resolution-adoption language) and voted to forward the draft changes to the Cape Coral mayor and city council for their consideration and final action.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 11-25 (Budget Amendment No. 1, FY2025): Approved (voice vote). Recorded amendment increases FY2025 budget to $37,807,004.63 and recognizes $904,000 in grant awards, $1,100,000 encumbrances and other adjustments. - Resolution 12-25 (Tentative FY2026 Budget): Approved (voice vote). Tentative operating budget presented as $37,919,009.40. - Resolution 13-25 (Longevity bonus): Approved (voice vote). One-time payouts totaling $345,870 for 289 staff; payout scheduled for June 27. - Resolution 14-25 (Youth Mental Health Allocation Plan): Approved (voice vote). Plan funds social worker salary and supplements guidance counselors; per-school allocations detailed in support packet. - Resolution 15-25 (Superintendent employment contract): Approved (roll-call vote). Ayes recorded from Adeseli, Jackson, Katie, Kilraign, Anaya and Santos. - Chapter 26 revisions (enrollment/matriculation, board terms, resolution-adoption): Approved to forward to City Council and mayor for final approval.

Board members and staff repeatedly emphasized that these approvals were intended to align operational needs (staffing and contracts) with funding already received and to position the charter system for a transition of certain services (notably before-and-after-care) from the city to the school. Board discussion included concern about sustainability of one-time payouts and a request that future compensation benchmarking occur regularly.

The board meeting took place June 24 at Council Chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Boulevard. The board clerk recorded six members and one parent representative present at roll call; votes described in the minutes were either voice votes recorded as "all ayes" or the roll-call recorded for the superintendent contract.