Superintendent reports progress on food-shelf agreement and seeks small communications subgroup for referendum planning

The superintendent provided several updates, including progress toward an agreement with the community food shelf, plans for a referendum communications subgroup, and community-event reminders.

Food-shelf agreement: The superintendent said district attorneys and Sandy (a food-shelf representative) have narrowed a list of issues in the proposed partnership. The parties cut a ten-item list to four items in a recent face-to-face meeting, and the superintendent said she hopes to bring a finalized agreement to the board at next month's meeting.

Communications work group for referendum: The superintendent proposed forming a short communications committee or representative group to assist planning for the November operating-levy referendum. She recommended up to three board members participate, with meetings beginning in July on an every-other-week schedule; members present expressed initial interest. The superintendent said staff (including the communications lead and attorney) and selected trustees would develop public-facing materials and that a work session following the July board meeting is tentatively planned to review a draft communications plan.

Other items: The superintendent reminded the board of Community Connect (a United Way event) tentatively scheduled for Oct. 16 during MEA week, summer office hours (Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Fridays) and encouraged board and community participation at Spudfest events.

Ending: The superintendent said she will provide an updated draft of the food-shelf agreement later in the week and will coordinate scheduling for the communications subgroup and a July work session.