Lebanon Special board approves school zones, pay plan, Chromebook funding and multiple policy updates

The Lebanon Special School District Board voted Thursday to approve a group of routine but consequential items, including Resolution 25-26-01 to adopt five school zones, the district's differentiated pay plan for 2025-26, school fundraisers for the year, allocation of fast-growth funds for annual Chromebook purchases and updates to multiple district policies and plans.

Board members said the measures are largely housekeeping or required by state rules, but highlighted immediate operational impacts including setting zones so the election commission can schedule an upcoming vote and replacing aging classroom devices.

Jordan, identified in the meeting as the attorney who worked on the zones, told the board the five zones were drawn by the city and that a declaratory-judgment action with the election commission is awaiting formal approval by the commission's members. "As soon as the judge signs it, then we can move forward," Jordan said. The board approved Resolution 25-26-01 so the election commission can proceed once the court action finishes.

On staffing incentives, board members approved the district's annual differentiated pay plan for 2025-26. The plan, required by the state for grant/budget compliance, provides additional pay opportunities for staff via leadership roles, tutoring and after-school mentoring. A board member described the plan as an annual submission the district must send to the state.

The board also approved the list of school fundraisers for 2025-26; principals may authorize a second, smaller fundraiser with central office approval. Board members emphasized encouraging parent-led organizations to take on fundraisers rather than relying solely on teachers.

Separately the board approved the use of fast-growth funds to purchase Chromebooks. District presenters said the final Chromebook allocation from fast-growth funding is roughly $1.1 million, and the board approved using $420,000 now to purchase two grade-band sets of devices. The district said Chromebooks that no longer receive updates pose security and network risks.

The board confirmed several committee and policy appointments and approvals, voting to appoint members to the student disciplinary hearing board and the sick leave committee (state requirement), adopting the district's technology responsible use policy (which references a separate AI policy), approving the district emergency operations plan and accepting updates to 23 board policies that TSBA reviewed for statutory changes.

Motions were moved and seconded on the floor and, when asked, the board responded "Aye" to approve the items.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 25-26-01 (adopt five school zones): approved. Motion and second recorded on the floor; board asked the election commission to finalize the declaratory-judgment filing before an election is set. - Differentiated pay plan 2025-26: approved. - School fundraisers 2025-26: approved. - Budget amendments / infrastructure stipend (see separate discussion in facilities article): partial approvals for prioritized projects (heat/air, roof, classroom window replacement and gym exterior doors at Castle Heights) were approved pending availability of funds. - Fast-growth funds / annual Chromebook purchases: approved to allocate funds for Chromebook purchases. - Appointment: student disciplinary hearing board: approved. - Appointment: sick leave committee: approved. - Technology responsible use policy (including device-repair/warranty procedures): approved. - District emergency operations plan: approved. - Board policy updates (23 policies, TSBA-reviewed): approved.

The board discussed timing for several of the items and noted that some expenditures will not move forward until the district receives the actual funds or completes procurement steps such as the competitive-bid process. Several presenters reminded the board that a number of the approvals are procedural or required by state law.

The board did not record individual roll-call tallies in the public discussion; motions were approved by voice vote.

Ending: The approvals clear a path for near-term administrative steps: the district can finalize zone paperwork with the election commission once the court action is complete, proceed with Chromebook procurement, and follow established procurement rules for larger facility projects.