Estacada board meeting roundup: budgeting shift, SIA funds, reconfiguration and school updates

The Estacada School District board on Jan. 14 received multiple operational and program updates as it prepared for near‑term decisions on budgeting and facilities.

Finance brief and program‑based budgeting: District finance staff introduced a new enrollment report format and outlined a shift toward program‑based budgeting. The staff said property tax collections are up 2.9% year‑to‑date (below a typical 3%), the district’s audit is expected by Jan. 31, and that the Student Investment Account (SIA) agreement will provide approximately $3,900,000 over the two‑year biennium. Finance described the program‑based budgeting (PBB) work as an assessment already under way, aimed at moving reporting from a high‑level view toward a more program‑focused picture; the initial implementation will avoid “pencil‑level” detail and instead target object‑level breakdowns such as instructional and non‑instructional salaries and benefits.

Board members asked about the practical depth of the new budget format and whether running dual systems might be necessary. Finance staff said the first iteration aims for a mid‑level view (described as moving from a 10,000‑foot to a 7,500‑foot view) and that special education costs will be tracked across three funding buckets (state school fund, IDEA, and SIA) so staff can better match expenditures to outcomes.

Reconfiguration, communications and Safe Routes: The communications department reported that reconfiguration committee applications are incoming and the committee is expected to begin in late January or early February. A community engagement update described a Safe Routes to School survey open through January and a planned walking audit workshop next month with traffic and public safety staff to identify pickup/drop‑off pinch points.

Superintendent and program updates: Superintendent Carpenter praised board leadership, highlighted the district’s recent OPB panel participation and community tours, and discussed OSAA league reclassification impacts (football scheduling and a possible 8‑team league). Carpenter also notified the board of upcoming student travel — FFA to Chico, Calif., and band/choir performances in California — and said the district will solicit four bids for a high school front office remodel. He reported the district purchased a new dehumidifier for the wrestling room for health reasons and that capital funds will be used for certain facility work.

Personnel and community: The board welcomed Joanne Mackie as principal of Clackamas River Elementary; Mackie described returning to Estacada from prior roles and early work on reconfiguration preparations. The board also heard a brief report about an FFA alumni auction that raised roughly $40,000–$45,000 and the establishment of a Katie K. Meyer Memorial Scholarship for ag/FFA students.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the agenda and accepted the consent agenda by voice vote. The meeting also included the intent to award a CMGC contract to CB Construction (see separate article for procurement details).

Next steps: Staff will continue program‑based budgeting work and return budget documents in the new format; Safe Routes survey remains open through January and a walking audit workshop is scheduled; staff will prepare the CMGC contract draft for future board action.