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New Castle board approves first-quarter report, flags enrollment decline that could hit next year’s budget
Summary
The school board approved the first-quarter financial report, with board members saying current spending aligns with expectations but warning that declining enrollment could reduce next year’s funding; special-education placements noted as costly.
The New Castle school board voted to approve its first-quarter financial report after a presentation that described current expenditures as "about where we normally are" but warned of a downward enrollment trend that could affect next year’s budget.
A board member summarized the packet and said district finances appear on track for the year so far while emphasizing a separate concern: falling student numbers. "We're about where we normally are within the budget," the member said, but added that a continued drop in enrollment "will later start showing up probably more next year's budget." The board did not provide an enrollment projection at the meeting.
Board members also discussed the school’s departure from the federal lunch program at the elementary level and reassured the public that "we're gonna continue to take care of kids" despite changes in federal participation. A separate comment in the discussion referenced a reported drop in students tied to Casper (transcript phrase "Casper 04/1926" was used; the board did not clarify that notation during the meeting).
The board noted special-education placement can be expensive and cited an example figure from the packet: "it can cost up to $400,000 a year" for some placements. The board described continuing current placement practices when they are in a child's best interest and recommended approval of the financial report.
The chair called for a motion to approve the first-quarter report; the motion carried on a voice vote. No changes to district staffing or program budgets were approved at the meeting beyond the routine acceptance of the financial packet; board members asked staff to monitor enrollment and its potential budget impacts.
