District finance staff provided a budget-process briefing and said principal-level reviews reduced initial elementary projections from more than 4% to approximately 3.2%.

Mark (finance lead) said the team's recent work with principals focused on identifying resources aligned to goals and trimming areas where efficiency is possible. "Mid-week the initial review was over 4% increase. We worked...and got that down to 3.2% at the elementary level," he said.

Staff said the budget process remains iterative: the core group (including Frank and Jody Nutting) will continue meetings next week and expects the state's weighted-student numbers to be available by Dec. 1. A fuller first draft for the entire district is targeted for the Dec. 16 meeting.

Officials noted the district will balance goals for student supports (including literacy interventions) with cost constraints. The finance lead said last year's reduction of 10 staff came primarily via attrition and that similar efficiency work is underway.

Board members asked about health insurance costs and timing; staff said Frank will review health-insurance projections with the supervisory-union board. No formal budget vote occurred at this meeting.

Next steps: continued principal meetings, receipt of state weighted numbers by Dec. 1, and presentation of a fuller draft at the Dec. 16 board meeting.