The board considered renewing a longstanding partnership agreement with the Community Alliance, a coalition of local organizations the superintendent said has worked with the district for 25 years.

One trustee moved to reduce the district’s contribution from $20,000 to $10,000, arguing the board had discussed cutting costs and questioned what direct benefits the district receives. The motion to reduce the contribution failed on the initial vote. A subsequent motion to approve the $20,000 payment passed 5–2 after discussion about the Alliance’s role in community advocacy and whether the DC Fly-In event would be funded separately.

Superintendent McGinnis said the $20,000 is included in the superintendent’s proposed budget and that the partnership supports cross-sector collaboration to move St. Joseph forward. Opponents on the board said when the district is tightening its budget, the district should either match lower partner contributions or seek clearer deliverables from the Alliance.

The motion to approve the $20,000 contribution passed 5–2; the board requested clarification on what services are included in the partnership and whether future travel expenses such as the DC Fly-In are in addition to the partnership fee.