Special called meeting approves multiple budgets and a 4% teacher pay schedule increase

At a special called meeting, participants voted unanimously to approve budgets for fund 141 (teacher salaries), fund 143 (food services), fund 146 (after‑school/childcare) and fund 177 (capital projects). The session included discussion of a 4% base increase to the teacher salary schedule and options for addressing a recurring food‑service shortfall.

Staff described the teacher-salary proposal as a 4% raise to the base salary step that adds $2,040 at the base level and removes a 21‑year step while keeping a 21‑year bonus. A staff member said the change, as presented, would exceed the current budget by $22,931,060.36 (figure stated in the transcript). "This is the last one that we've come up with was a 4% raise at the base salary of the teacher salary schedule, which was $2,040," the staff member said. Board member Patterson calculated that the proposal would raise starting pay from about $51,000 to roughly $53,096.40, saying that figure would be about $3,040 above the state minimum for the year and calling it "a good start."

Board members and staff also discussed contracted services related to facility maintenance, with one member saying the district may "cut our losses" and rebid the contract or explore bringing the work in-house. Staff and members agreed to pursue further brainstorming with district staff and consultants (Dr. Watson and others were named as people who had been consulted) to clarify costs and feasibility.

On food services (fund 143), staff said the fund runs a small annual deficit — described in discussion as about $4,000 per year — because meal reimbursements and pricing do not fully cover rising food and labor costs. The transcript records a suggested $400,000 loan to address cash‑flow timing and staff noted payroll needs that create a monthly cash pressure.

Fund 146, which covers after‑school and early‑morning care, was praised by a board member for supporting teachers with young families and for helping with staff recruitment. The capital projects budget for fiscal year 2027 (fund 177) was presented with no changes from the proposed version; staff noted multi‑year planning for year two and year three projects outside the operating budget.

Each budget item was approved by roll-call vote and recorded as unanimous. After handling the agenda items, the Chair called for and received a motion to adjourn.

Votes at a glance

- Fund 141 (teacher salary schedule): motion to approve passed (tally: 6 yes, 0 no). Motion opened for discussion; Chair moved, and a second was recorded. - Fund 143 (food services): passed (tally: 6 yes, 0 no). Discussion noted recurring shortfalls and a proposed loan. - Fund 146 (after‑school/childcare): passed (tally: 6 yes, 0 no). Members praised the program's value for recruiting staff. - Fund 177 (capital projects, FY2027): passed (tally: 6 yes, 0 no). Staff reported no changes to the proposed capital plan.

Next steps: Staff will follow up on questions raised during discussion (contracting options and detailed cost estimates); the meeting adjourned with no further action scheduled in the transcript.