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Liberty Elementary board debates FY26 budget priorities including nurses, DreamBox and step increases
Summary
Board members and staff debated proposed FY26 budget reductions and priorities, including whether to keep DreamBox math software, fund licensed practical nurse (LPN) positions, and provide step increases for support staff. Members asked staff for clearer campus-level cost breakdowns and more stakeholder input before final decisions.
Liberty Elementary School District board members spent substantial time April 21 discussing fiscal year 2026 budget priorities and possible reductions, after staff presented an updated list of items for reconsideration.
The district presenter outlined items previously flagged for reduction and new items for board review, noting changes since the March 24 meeting. Key discussion points included DreamBox Learning (a supplemental math program), Explore Learning/Gizmos (science/math resources), step increases for support staff, and funding for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) at specific campuses.
Board Member Schmidt said the district had previously set 2.5 reading-interventionist positions in the budget and flagged DreamBox’s $73,000 line as a potential non-reduction if the board wished to retain it. Schmidt and other members asked staff for quotes on alternatives such as IXL for math and for clarity on which curriculum line items carried specific dollar amounts.
Several board members raised concerns about equity regarding an LPN at a single school. Board Member Schmidt and others noted that allowing an LPN only at Liberty Elementary would create uneven services across campuses; members asked whether the district could fund LPNs at all schools or instead hire a CNA at schools without an LPN. Parents’ emails supporting a Liberty LPN were acknowledged, and board members said that community input would be considered.
Vice President Kenyon and other members emphasized the board’s desire to preserve student supports where possible and suggested prioritizing step increases for support staff over nonessential curriculum subscriptions. Kenyon said she would prefer step increases to DreamBox if resources were limited.
Multiple members urged staff to provide campus-level budgets and program-by-program cost breakdowns so the board can evaluate per-campus costs, signature-program expenses, and maintenance spending. One member said the district has used reserves and maintenance-of-effort funds in recent years and that more detailed campus financials would help identify where cuts could be made without cutting instructional supports.
Staff committed to uploading updated materials to BoardDocs and to provide clearer line-item explanations, quotes for alternative curricula, and a list of one-time purchases identified in prior work (previously estimated at up to about $400,000, though the board has not yet designated those as formal reductions).
No formal votes were taken on budget cuts during the special meeting; members directed staff to return with clearer cost breakdowns and to engage principals, teachers and parents in further discussions before final budget decisions are made.
