District reports improved fund balance and considers $1,000 one‑time employee bonus

Heidi, the district finance lead in the work session, reviewed the draft audit materials and fund‑balance history, telling the board that revenue projections were not as dire as previously feared and the district closed the year with a stronger fund balance than the prior year.

"Most of those projections did not come out nearly as dismal as we anticipated," Heidi said, summarizing year‑end revenue and noting a combined fund‑balance position that kept the district above its two‑month operating reserve target.

Because the legislature did not provide the customary supplemental PRC teacher allotment for the district this year (an amount staff described in the materials as roughly $399,000 that would translate to about $826 per teacher last year) and because state health‑plan premiums will increase for many employees effective January, Heidi proposed a one‑time retention/retention‑style gross payment of $1,000 for each eligible employee. The administration estimated the proposal would cost in the range of $850,000 and recommended timing the payment for December so employees would see funds before premium deductions begin in January.

Board members discussed equity and targeting. Some favored an across‑the‑board $1,000 payment to ensure no employee took a net‑pay hit this year; others suggested targeting lower‑paid staff or structuring a larger net benefit for those most affected. Heidi clarified Chartwells (the food-service vendor) employees and other contracted staff are not covered by the district’s benefits and that the proposal would apply to district employees on the district’s payroll.

No formal vote was taken in the work session; the board asked staff to bring an action item to the next meeting with details about timing, eligibility and estimated net amounts after taxes and retirement contributions.