Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Berkshire Local board adopts 2026 tax rate, approves personnel, varsity sports, trip and contracts
Summary
At a regular meeting the Berkshire Local Board of Education adopted the tax rate for the 2026 tax year (2027 collection), approved listed personnel, added two varsity sports, authorized an overnight music trip to Walt Disney World and approved several contracts and course guides; votes were recorded by roll call.
The Berkshire Local Board of Education on a unanimous roll-call vote approved the tax rate for the 2026 tax year (2027 collection year) and moved forward a package of routine personnel and program actions.
Board member Brian moved to adopt the tax rate; Dan seconded. Clerk Beth conducted a roll-call vote; members recorded in the transcript (including Mr. Burman, Mr. Manfred, Mrs. Stone, Mr. Townsen and Mr. Watsworth) voted yes and the resolution carried. The treasurer had submitted the financial statements for the period ending February 2026, noted as "subject to audit."
Also approved were the personnel recommendations listed in the meeting materials for certified and classified staff. The board approved two new varsity programs — a competition shooting team and girls flag football — after trustees discussed the pathway for girls wrestling to move from club to varsity after two years as a club sport. The board authorized an overnight music-department trip to Walt Disney World scheduled for January 16–21, 2027, and approved attached contracts including an Auburn Career Center agreement to reimburse the district for middle-school career-tech services (described in the meeting as "in the neighborhood of $26,000") and a three-year renewal with Smiles for maintenance/grounds services at a below-market increase.
Board members also approved the district's 2026–27 school fee schedule (the board did not raise fees), adopted course guides for Berkshire High School and Berkshire Middle School for 2026–27, and approved an open-campus final exam schedule for the high school (May 19–21, 2026) that allows students to stay home for non-exam periods with parent permission and provides study hall on campus for those who attend.
Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting): - Tax rate resolution for 2026 (2027 collection): Moved by Brian; seconded by Dan; outcome: approved (roll-call yes votes recorded). - Personnel approvals (certified and classified as listed): moved and seconded; approved (roll call). - Approve competition shooting team and girls flag football as varsity sports: moved and seconded; approved (roll call). - Overnight field trip — music department to Walt Disney World, Jan. 16–21, 2027: moved and seconded; approved (roll call). - Contracts (including Auburn Career Center agreement and Smiles three-year renewal): moved and seconded; approved (roll call). - School fees for 2026–27 (no fee increases): moved and seconded; approved (roll call). - Course guides for Berkshire High and Middle School: moved and seconded; approved (roll call). - High school open-campus final exam schedule (May 19–21, 2026): moved and seconded; approved (roll call).
What happened next: The board announced its next regular meeting for April 13 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium, declined to enter executive session, and adjourned.
Sources and context: Actions, motions and roll-call outcomes are taken from the meeting transcript and the board packet referenced during the meeting. The transcript records the Auburn Career Center payment amount as "in the neighborhood of $26,000."
