Board approves budget-committee appointment, budget calendar and new Financial Algebra course

The board took three formal votes during the regular meeting.

Appointment to budget committee: Member Schmidt moved to approve the board27s recommendation to appoint Rachel Sager to the budget committee; the motion was seconded and the board approved the appointment by voice/roll call. "Welcome to the budget committee," the chair said after the vote.

Budget-calendar approval: Member Wilkins moved to approve the 25-26 budget calendar for the 26-27 school year; Member Pearson seconded. After brief procedural discussion the board voted and approved the calendar in the roll call recorded during the meeting.

PCS Financial Algebra course approval: The board considered a proposed elective-level course that blends algebraic concepts with personal-finance applications (budget modeling, Excel, taxes, credit, consumer finance). The board discussed state requirements for a standalone personal-finance course and whether financial algebra can also satisfy math credit rules. Member Schmidt moved and Member Wilkins seconded the course approval. The roll-call vote approved the course with one recorded "No" vote (transcribed as Amber Stegall). Board members spoke in favor of Excel skills and the course's potential to engage students who might otherwise avoid higher-level math.

Votes and recorded roll calls (as transcribed): - Appointment: motion moved by Member Schmidt; roll-call recorded and appointment approved. - Budget calendar: motion moved by Member Wilkins; roll-call recorded unanimous approval in that sequence. - Financial Algebra: motion moved by Member Schmidt, seconded by Member Wilkins; roll-call recorded multiple "Yes" responses and at least one recorded "No." The course was approved.

Next steps: the course will be added to the high-school program offerings; staff will finalize how it interacts with the mandated personal-finance standard and transcript/PowerSchool credit rules.