After failed referendum, board directs quote for facility study and hears budget pressure from state formula change

Board members discussed next steps after the recent referendum failure and emphasized continuing community engagement while pausing large capital moves until the district completes additional study. The superintendent and finance staff outlined three options: pause and reassess, proceed with facility work, or maintain the status quo; trustees signaled interest in a 9-to-10 month planning and engagement process that includes a comprehensive facility study for Lincoln and Lindberg elementary schools as well as continued refinement of high-school plans.

Trustee Sharon moved and Dan seconded a motion to solicit a quote for a facility study; the motion carried by voice vote. The board asked staff to return with a plan B by March 31 after completion of the facility and financial studies and further community engagement.

Business manager Heidi Hagen presented a preliminary budget that highlighted several pressures: a projected decrease of about $430,000 in compensatory (basic-skills) funding because the state formula now counts only direct-certified families rather than all families who file free/reduced applications; a projected general-fund expense increase tied to settled contracts (about $770,000 for salaries and benefits) and high-cost capital purchases (ELA curriculum and 9–12 device refresh) that together produce a modest operating gap covered in part by restricted fund balances. Heidi also noted special-education transportation reimbursement will be reduced (95% to 90%), and projected enrollment for next year is about 2,120 (roughly 60 fewer students than this year).

Why it matters: The board must reconcile aging facilities, community sentiment after the referendum and a constrained budget driven by state funding changes and capital needs; the facility study will inform options including possible consolidation or timeline adjustments and potential general-fund savings.