Rock Ridge Public Schools board approves budget cuts, postpones vote on four‑day week and approves multiple teacher termination resolutions
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Summary
Faced with a budget shortfall, the Rock Ridge Public Schools board approved Option 2—a package of program and staffing cuts that excludes a four‑day school week—by a 5–1 vote, and then approved a slate of termination/nonrenewal and leave-placement resolutions for multiple teachers, mostly by unanimous votes.
Rock Ridge Public Schools’ board voted Monday to adopt a package of budget adjustments that trims roughly $2.3–$2.45 million from the district’s 2026 budget while postponing a decision on a proposed four‑day school week.
The motion to adopt Option 2—described to the board as the package that makes the recommended cuts but removes the four‑day week from tonight’s vote—passed 5–1 after extended debate about savings, academic impacts and staffing. The superintendent told the board that state funding shortfalls and program changes left the district ‘‘about $3 million less’’ in inflation‑adjusted resources than earlier boards had, cited a $145,000 reduction in special‑education transportation funding and an approximately $180,000 Department of Natural Resources overpayment the district must repay under state statute.
Why it matters: The adopted package is the board’s near‑term plan to close an operating gap without immediately adopting a four‑day week. Board members emphasized the goal of minimizing teacher layoffs while still making significant budget adjustments; the superintendent said the recommended package would leave the district ‘‘in the zone’’ for a $2.3–$2.45 million adjustment with a ‘‘minimum of teacher impact.’’
Public comment at the start of the meeting highlighted community concerns. Tim Strawser, a science teacher at Rock Ridge High School, urged caution about moving to a four‑day week, arguing that national test‑score trends and likely increases in unsupervised screen time on off days counseled against a rapid shift. "If we have a four‑day week, what are the vast majority of kids gonna be doing during that day off? ... There's gonna be a lot more screen time," Strawser said.
Laurie Ismall, a district teacher since 1995, said counseling reductions would harm students and asked the board to table any decision that would effectively eliminate counselors. "Counseling services are essential for all students," Ismall said, adding that licensed counselors have training other staff do not.
Board deliberations focused on tradeoffs. Supporters of the adopted option cited a wide community survey and budget pressure; opponents warned of potential educational impacts and urged more study. Several members said they were open to bringing the four‑day week back for discussion after additional working sessions and community input.
Votes at a glance: After approving the adjusted budget package (Option 2 minus the four‑day week and certain music staffing) 5–1, the board moved through a lengthy consent of personnel actions. A series of resolutions (items 6.1–6.13 and related items) to terminate or not renew probationary teaching contracts, and to place certain tenured teachers on unrequested leave of absence for 1.0 FTE, were each moved, seconded, and recorded as passing; most were recorded as unanimous.
The superintendent repeatedly framed the personnel listings as a difficult but required consequence of the budget gap and said the district would attempt to rehire or reassign staff where possible. "We're giving you options, school board, that the reality is ... if you are a tenured teacher, if you want to work in Rock Ridge, we have a job for you," the superintendent said, adding that some moves would depend on certification and availability of qualified special‑education staff.
The board set a follow‑up timeline: discuss the four‑day week again in a future working session and reconvene consideration of specific positions (for example, music staffing) before final personnel implementation. The next regular meeting was announced for Monday, April 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the Rock Ridge Ministry Building.
What’s next: The board’s decision closes the immediate budget gap through program and staffing adjustments while pausing a vote on the four‑day week. The superintendent and staff will return with additional details and working‑session conversations on contested items; some employees affected by termination or leave placement may be recalled or reassigned depending on subsequent staffing and certification outcomes.
