Board hears virtual-program metrics; food-service budget holds lunch prices steady

Mr. Stout presented a memorandum of understanding for the district’s virtual-academy operations and provided enrollment and cost context to the board. Administration said the district supported about 149 students in the past year through its virtual program (76 full-time, 73 part-time) and estimated the district cost per virtual student at about $1,557 when that enrollment figure is applied to the program’s reported costs. Administrators contrasted that internal per-student estimated cost with higher per-student charges from outside cyber providers and said retaining an in‑district virtual program can be more cost-effective for some students.

Mr. Lent presented the food-service budget for 2026–27. He said the district-funded food-service program is supported entirely by meal sales, a la carte revenue, and state and federal reimbursements; the district will not raise standard lunch prices next year but proposed a 25-cent increase to a la carte prices. He confirmed the district employs 67 food-service staff, continues to provide free breakfast supported by state subsidies and that the food-service budget is balanced without an increase to standard meal pricing.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about program staffing, funding sources and the district’s compliance with recent cyber‑charter and habitual-truancy rules that affect outside cyber enrollment. Administration said a new rule affecting habitually truant students may limit outside cyber acceptance for some students and that the district is monitoring court outcomes and judicial interpretations as cases proceed.