Princeton board approves revised 2025–26 budget and LTFM 2026 projects; superintendent flags SPED identification and early-voting outreach

The Princeton Public School District board approved a series of routine actions on March 7, including acceptance of the revised 2025–26 budget and approval of the LTFM 2026 summer-project list. The actions were moved, seconded and adopted by voice votes with no recorded opposition: the agenda was approved (moved by Melissa; second by Eric Strandberg), prior meeting minutes were approved (moved by Don; second by Eric Strandberg), the consent agenda was approved (moved by Jen; second by Melissa), the revised 2025–26 budget was accepted (moved by Eric Strandberg; second by Melissa), and the district accepted the LTFM 2026 summer projects (moved by Eric Strandberg; second by Scott).

Superintendent Pat reported on recent regional meetings and district initiatives. He said regional Run River data show special-education identification rates “right around 22 to 24 percent” of students and noted ongoing questions about whether the district is over-identifying students for special education and how to improve exit procedures. Pat described monthly MTSS training and new expectations for PLCs to ensure classroom impact. On voting access, staff described setting early-voting stations beginning March 27 and a new QR-based absentee-ballot application that allows residents to apply via phone; submitted applications go to the secretary of state and then to district staff for ballot mailing. Pat also outlined an inclusive-playground grant opportunity he said could be worth about $150,000, with a Lions Club match under discussion of roughly $75,000 on top of $75,000 already raised; grant awards and matching funds would not be finalized until later in the grant process.

No contested motions or roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript; approvals were completed by voice votes. The board adjourned following approval of the listed items.