Board adopts $114.25 million budget, adds math interventionist and elementary coach; increases turnover assumption

The Buchanan Board of Education on Jan. 21, 2025, voted unanimously to adopt a $114,247,271 budget for fiscal year 2025–26 after the board approved three amendments: adding a high-school math interventionist, adding one additional full-time-equivalent classroom coach for the elementary level, and increasing the budget's assumed turnover savings by $70,000.

The additions were presented and debated during the meeting's second reading of the superintendent's budget proposal. Board members and administrators said the two instructional hires respond to recent classroom needs: rising numbers of students “doubling up” on math courses at the high school and steady demand for classroom coaching to support new teachers and improve instructional time at the elementary level.

Board discussion and rationale

Superintendent Dr. Krentz described the budget process and said administrators and principals reviewed deferred maintenance needs and instructional priorities after a recent budget workshop. Board members heard from elementary and secondary staff about why the new positions would be needed. The board discussed evidence from this year: an intern pilot at the high school that functioned as an interventionist and a math coach who helped increase instructional clarity for teachers, and an expanded coaching-cycle model in elementary schools that has allowed coaches to spend multiple consecutive days in classrooms when needed.

Board member Matt Wexler moved to add the high-school math interventionist; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously. The board later approved a motion (seconded…