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Superintendent outlines referendum priorities, budget gap risks and program cuts if April measure fails
Summary
The district’s superintendent told the board that the April 1 operational referendum focuses on staff compensation, curriculum and tutoring, behavioral supports and operational stability; he warned that failure would require roughly $6.2 million in cuts next year and another $8.9 million the following year.
Superintendent Michael Garrison and district staff presented an update on the April 1, 2025 operational referendum and explained how the proposed funding is intended to be used across four priority areas: staff compensation and retention; instructional/academic supports and curriculum; behavioral supports and student services; and operational stability (facilities, transportation, special education funding and other districtwide costs).
Garrison emphasized that the referendum request seeks to stabilize district operations and to invest in staff and programs that support student achievement. He said the district is proposing targeted compensation improvements (a built‑in 5% target for staff compensation was cited as the administrative goal) to help retain teachers and attract staff, and that academic priorities include investments in curriculum, reading and math supports and virtual/in‑person tutors.
Behavioral supports was a distinct bucket: Garrison described proposals for assistant principals, deans and six additional paraprofessional or behavioral‑support positions to provide interventions and reduce classroom disruptions. The superintendent said the district would set measurable goals and regular reporting if the referendum passes.
Garrison warned of the stakes if the referendum fails: the district would need to identify roughly $6.2 million in cuts for the next fiscal year and could face an additional $8.9 million the following year, which could affect staff, programs and extracurriculars. He said the next practical opportunity to return to voters would be April 2026, and the district would have to make short‑term reductions in the interim.
Garrison and board members urged the public to attend a slate of community informational meetings and to review referendum materials posted on the district website. Several board members suggested translating the fourth, operational “stability” bucket into clearer line items for public reporting so voters can see concrete examples of how money would be used and what is at risk if the referendum fails.
