Director Burns outlines proposed FTE cuts and strategic-plan shift after board meeting

Director Burns provided a postmeeting recap, saying the school board discussed proposals to reduce full-time equivalent (FTE) positions from 33.3 to 19.7 and that the strategic planning executive committee chose an "intermediate model" because of building constraints.

Burns said the district faces the same pressures many others do — enrollment shifts, funding strains and changing student needs — and described the board's role as aligning resources to protect the student experience while keeping the district financially stable. "I am so appreciative to our staff and the community for being a part of tonight's meeting," Burns said.

On staffing, Burns said, "there were two big things that came out of tonight's meeting and the first was a proposal to reduce the number of FTE from 33.3 to 19.7." Burns added the district expects to accomplish most of those reductions "mostly the cuts from current resignations and retirement." The update did not record a formal vote or provide a timeline for when positions would be eliminated.

On planning, Burns reported that the strategic planning executive committee "has decided to move forward with the intermediate model due to building constraints and other concerns that had came up during the process." Burns characterized the meeting as part of an open public deliberation intended to refine options with research, data and community feedback.

Burns also urged residents to contact legislators and advocate for public schools, saying the board wants the community and elected officials to understand the importance of public education. Burns closed by thanking staff and the community for their involvement.

No formal motion text, mover/second or vote tally was provided in the update; the announcement was presented as a staff/board report and set of committee decisions rather than a recorded action with an outcome.