Board preview: Appendix D extra-duty pay review, assistive-technology policy and enrollment allocations

During the special meeting, staff provided several routine and committee-level updates to set the Jan. 27 agenda items.

Appendix D/extra-duty pay: Staff said a committee led by Dr. Ormseth and Mr. Plank reviewed Appendix D (extra-duty pay) and will bring recommendations at the Jan. 27 meeting. The committee’s work — which builds on a 2018 study — includes proposals for a hiring process, an evaluation system for extra-duty assignments, transparent procedures for creating new positions, and a possible board policy to formalize how new payments are added; staff emphasized the goal is equitable distribution rather than cutting funds.

Assistive technology (Policy 6634): Ms. Guchenberger, director of special education, recommended revised language for Policy 6634 to align decision-making with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and free appropriate public education (FAPE) requirements. She said the revision clarifies that assistive technology must be considered through IEP and 504 team processes, reinforces use of universal design for learning, and does not require new programs or staffing. Staff recommended presenting Policy 6634 for first and second reading on Jan. 27.

Open enrollment and calendar changes: Staff presented the statutory annual open-enrollment seat allocations for the 2026–27 school year and explained the district kept allocations similar to previous years while slightly increasing some seats from last year’s allotment; kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades were noted as outliers. Staff also proposed moving two regular board meeting dates in November and December 2026 to Nov. 17 and Dec. 8 to avoid Thanksgiving and winter break.

These items were presented as previews; staff will present detailed recommendations and, where appropriate, ask for board action at the Jan. 27 regular meeting.