Siren board approves CESA 11 shared‑services contract, leaves adjustments open pending referendum

The Siren School District board voted March 23 to approve a 2026–27 shared‑services contract with CESA 11 while adding language to allow adjustments depending on the outcome of the district's referendum.

Board members debated line‑item details before the vote, including a school‑based services fee described in the CESA materials as $76 per Medicaid‑eligible student and a tiered support fee for the district's special education network (the lowest tier listed in the CESA catalog corresponds to a $3,905 fee). Trustees asked administration to confirm which tier the district would be billed under before final submission.

Corey moved to accept the contract with a friendly amendment permitting post‑referendum changes if necessary; Kelly seconded the motion and the board approved it. The motion as approved preserves the district's ability to revisit particular service tiers and fees after the referendum results are known.

Why it matters: CESA shared services provide administrative and instructional supports (billing and paperwork for school‑based Medicaid services, professional development, and district‑level special education coordination). Approving the contract allows the district to continue those services for the upcoming school year but keeps open an administrative path to modify service selections if the referendum changes projected revenues.

The board instructed administration to verify tier selections and confirm any circled levels on the CESA catalog prior to final submission. The contract approval was recorded as a motion by Corey and seconded by Kelly and passed during the meeting.