Superintendent proposes community-based district concept; updates on Lingle and Oakdale repairs and staffing plans

Superintendent Dr. Charles Perry used his Jan. 20 update to present several district-level initiatives and facility recovery updates, including a conceptual "community-based school district" idea, preliminary compensation guidance for next year, concerns about enrollment trends, and a plan to convene a task force to examine perceived inequities across feeder patterns.

Community-based district concept Perry said the district is exploring a model to make the school district a broader community resource, not only an education provider. "We want to make sure that we reach out to the community and that we take care of all of our community," Perry said. He suggested offerings might include adult education (GED), workforce training and other services that use district facilities and staff expertise. Perry said the concept is in an early, conceptual stage and that the board will see more at a future retreat for discussion and potential scope-setting.

Compensation and enrollment Perry said the district is considering a model for next-year raises that would include a $750 base raise plus an $800 step previously committed. He emphasized the district's recent substantial investment in pay last year (a $2,5100 figure referenced in discussion) and said the finance team is still finalizing details. "We're probably looking somewhere in the neighborhood of that $750 raise plus the $800 step," Perry said. He reported current district enrollment at roughly 15,300 students and noted small month-to-month fluctuations.

Inequity task force Perry told the board concerns have been raised by parents and staff about disparities across different parts of the district (facilities, extracurricular opportunities, and perceived resource imbalances). He proposed forming a stakeholder task force — including parents, staff and potentially students — to clarify whether disparities are perception or reality and to recommend options for mitigation. He said the task force would present recommendations to the board and that the board would determine which recommendations to adopt.

Facilities and tornado recovery: Lingle and Oakdale Facilities staff reported progress on repairs in tornado-damaged schools. Charles (facilities lead) said demolition work at Lingle is complete and rebuilding is underway; the district is seeking FEMA and other mitigation program support for a safe room and related work. "We get together on a Zoom call, and we go through each project. We asked for the 100%, last meeting, and they said they need to review some things," he said about FEMA and ER Assist discussions; if mitigation policy permits a 100% payment, the district could receive full federal support for a safe room estimated at about $5 million. Officials said the mobile classrooms will be removed and the Lingle campus is expected to be back in use by August, though some construction may extend into the school year. Oakdale administration areas have reopened to staff and students are using new classrooms; finishing work is projected through 2026.

Public comment and follow-up A parent raised concerns about tree replacement and a gym heater problem at Northside Elementary that followed the tornado. The parent said the school had been told it could have only six trees when volunteers proposed 30; the board deferred specific answers at the meeting and asked the parent to follow up with district staff for details and next steps.

Why this matters: The superintendent's proposals and facility recovery work carry operational, budgetary and equity implications for the district. Decisions about compensation, task-force scope and whether to add community-facing services could affect budgeting, staffing and the district'''s relationship with residents.

Ending: Perry said he will bring the community-based district concept and task-force proposals to a future retreat, continue to refine compensation proposals once enrollment and funding figures are final, and report back on FEMA/insurance decisions about reconstruction funding.