Southeast Polk outlines at‑risk/dropout prevention plan and plans to request $2.85 million in supplemental funds

District staff presented the Southeast Polk Community School District’s dropout prevention and at‑risk plan and said they will bring a supplemental funding request for the maximum allowable amount to support those programs in the FY26 budget.

Jo Ellen (staff member) described four primary categories used in the district’s submitted plan to the state: intensive counseling (individual and small‑group support), academic intervention and extended learning (interventionists, attendance success plans, after‑school/summer programs), credit recovery and expanded pathways (online learning, dual credit, flexible pathways) and alternative/expeditionary programming. Jo Ellen said the categories have been retained from prior years but adjusted to reflect current program needs, including attendance plans and new flexible pathway options.

Kevin (business services staff member) presented the funding calculation and said the district will recommend the board approve the full maximum supplemental amount at the next meeting. He said the amount being prepared for formal action is $2,852,029 and that the figure is computed as the maximum allowable percentage of regular district costs under the current formula. The board was invited to ask questions and was told staff would return with an approval item at a subsequent meeting.

No formal supplemental appropriation was adopted at this meeting; the board received the plan and funding estimate and will consider formal approval at the next scheduled meeting.