Board reviews operating agreement; superintendent outlines budgeting, literacy and strategic-plan goals

The board discussed modest edits to a draft board'superintendent operating agreement, including language on annual goal-setting, the chair's role in responding to group emails and meeting time expectations. Trustees asked staff to refine the document and return a revised version at the next meeting.

In the superintendent's report, leadership highlighted fall and homecoming activities, administrative staffing pressures, and compliance with Oregon Division 22 reporting. The district reported it is compliant in most areas but still needs to adopt a health curriculum for grades 9—1; the Oregon Department of Education granted a one-year extension while staff seek options that meet state criteria.

On finances, the superintendent said one of the year's goals was fiscal stability and reported the district exceeded an ending fund-balance target set between $2 million and $3 million. The superintendent and staff described a new forecasting tool (developed with Tom and a consultant) that models six years of district finances and will be used for bargaining, bond planning and long-range facilities prioritization.

Instructionally, the district is investing in early-literacy supports: supplemental programs aligned with the science of reading (programs referenced as "95%" and UFLI) and pilots of early-literacy screening tools. Staff said these initiatives will be a multiyear effort and that the district will present student data as implementation proceeds.

The superintendent also flagged the state economic forecast on Nov. 19 as a key date for updated budget expectations and urged the board to await that information as staff prepare scenarios for the next budget cycle.