Board debates tentative 2026–27 budget and whether to overhire bus drivers to avoid outsourcing

District leaders presented the tentative 2026–27 budget, moving it from preliminary to tentative status and noting that additional adjustments are likely as service agreements are finalized. Administrators said revenue adjustments to date have been limited and several expense lines remain under development while the district continues to model year‑over‑year effects.

Transportation was a focal point: staff said planned EV bus purchases are driving the largest single change in the tentative materials and that reimbursements from recently awarded grants are expected to offset some costs. Board members questioned a line labeled as a negative 'other financing use' (staff explained this is a routine transfer to the debt service fund for capital leases such as iPad purchases and debt certificates).

Members pressed on driver recruitment and retention. Administrators said a staffing target of about 32 drivers would allow the district to eliminate or reduce reliance on outside routing by First Student; they also explained why the district left a placeholder for a contract in the tentative budget in case training or retirements create gaps. Several board members advocated recruiting beyond the target to create a buffer during onboarding—one member said, "I'd go two over," arguing that 60–90 days are required to train a new driver and that short staffing often prompts emergency outsourcing.

Administrators said they are actively hiring and monitoring retention; next steps include refining staffing assumptions in the final budget and discussing whether to enter a short‑term contract with First Student if driver counts lag closer to the school year.