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Superintendent outlines plan for April bond focused on middle school and urges state funding relief
Summary
Superintendent reported a bond‑measure facilities committee recommendation to prioritize the middle school on an April ballot, shared outreach survey results and highlighted statewide K‑12 funding gaps (special education, maintenance/materials and transportation) with potential district reductions if funding does not improve.
At the Jan. 8 board meeting the superintendent reported that a facilities/bond committee recommended placing a bond on the April ballot focused on middle‑school needs and that district staff are preparing necessary documentation to register for the county ballot.
The superintendent said communications staff sent a community survey with 440 responses that helped the committee refine priorities. Committee members recommended pursuing funding that centers on the middle school for the next bond cycle and described next steps for registering the measure with county elections.
The superintendent also presented a one‑pager coordinated among nearby districts calling attention to statewide K‑12 funding shortfalls, emphasizing three categories: special education, maintenance/materials and transportation. The presentation cited a multi‑year special‑education funding gap (the superintendent used a $2.84 million figure in discussing cumulative shortfalls) and noted last year’s local reductions of about $2 million; administrators said the district faces another possible $1–1.5 million in reductions this year if state funding does not change.
Board members and staff discussed outreach plans (community events and rotating board member attendance at activities) and district preparations for the next steps in bond planning. Communications director Lisa Gilchrist was thanked for survey outreach and materials prepared to explain funding gaps and the districts’ ask to legislators.
Directors said the funding shortfall strengthened the case for legislative advocacy. The superintendent said the district will continue engagement with neighboring districts and the county delegation, and will return with more detailed budget and project documentation ahead of any bond measure advertising and the April timeline.
No formal bond authorization or vote was taken at the Jan. 8 meeting; the board received the report and directed staff to continue preparations and provide follow‑up documentation.
