Superintendent reports midyear strategic-plan progress; flags budget pressures and enrollment decline

Superintendent (presenting) gave a midyear update on the district’s 2024–29 strategic plan, highlighting progress on curriculum alignment, mental-health initiatives and staff housing while warning of ongoing budget pressures tied to declining enrollment.

On academics, the superintendent said the district achieved its first fully K–12 aligned math curriculum in recent years and reported some grade levels performing above state averages. Assistant Superintendent Johnson described professional development and curriculum changes in dual-immersion and world-language programs meant to strengthen vertical alignment and secondary instruction.

On student well-being, the district reported multi-year trend data showing protective factors improving and clinical rates of depression decreasing in some groups after a multi-stakeholder initiative with Boise State University and St. Luke’s. The superintendent said the data show promising early trends but emphasized continued investment in mental-health supports.

Budget challenges were front and center. The superintendent and finance director described a projected $2.8 million deficit for the 2026–27 school year driven primarily by declining enrollment and flat revenue assumptions. The board discussed staffing reductions, maintaining a three-month operating fund balance and potential actions such as delaying hires or not filling positions when vacancies occur.

The superintendent also noted progress on staff housing: the district now operates nine staff-housing units, all occupied, and the board extended lease terms to improve retention.

The midyear update concluded with staff offering more detailed midyear materials on the district website and a planned follow-up summary at the July meeting.