Parkway board approves 2026–27 budget, school improvement plan and assessment purchases

At the June 10 meeting, the Parkway C‑2 Board of Education approved key fiscal and instructional items for 2026–27, including the district’s proposed expenditure budget, the comprehensive school improvement plan (CSIP), the comprehensive assessment plan, and purchases for district and AP testing.

CFO Carrie Nun presented the 2026–27 budget materials and described the district’s four‑fund structure (general, special revenue, capital, debt service). In discussion she said historic expense growth is outpacing revenue — the district’s projection shows operating expenses rising faster than operating funding, driven by inflation and constrained revenue growth under state tax‑limit mechanisms. The administration recommended the board approve the budget as presented. The board approved the 2026–27 expenditure budget by roll call; the meeting recorded roll‑call affirmations from Mrs. Hopper, Mr. Kilper, Miss Matt Franklin, Mr. Schindler, Mr. Seltzer, Mr. Spectre and Mr. Todd and the chair announced the motion carried.

Deputy and instructional leaders then presented the 2026–27 CSIP with targets tied to NWEA/Evaluation data, growth targets, and disparity‑gap reduction goals. Highlights included reported gains in reading growth and targets for sense of belonging and student self‑efficacy metrics; the board approved the CSIP by roll call.

Assessment director Carter Snow presented the 2026–27 comprehensive assessment plan and explained the district’s selection of Amira as the foundational reading screener (K–3) while maintaining NWEA measures for math growth. The board approved the assessment plan, then separately approved the purchase of annual district testing (estimated $98,000 for ACT/state/district testing) and estimated AP exam fee coverage drawn from high‑school activity accounts (estimated $275,500). Officials said AP exam fees are student funded but district activity accounts will cover administrative payments.

Votes at a glance: - Motion: Approve 2026–27 expenditure budget (amounts and fund breakdown read into the record). Outcome: Approved (roll call recorded as yes: 7; no: 0 as announced). - Motion: Approve 2026–27 Comprehensive School Improvement Plan. Outcome: Approved (roll call yes: 7; no: 0). - Motion: Approve comprehensive assessment plan (including adoption of Amira). Outcome: Approved (roll call yes: 7; no: 0). - Motion: Approve ordering ACT/state/district testing and AP exam materials and scoring services (est. $98,000 and $275,500). Outcome: Approved (roll call yes: 7; no: 0).

The board and staff emphasized that approving the budget does not eliminate the district’s longer‑term fiscal choices; district leaders continue to model options including cuts, moderate levy+cuts, and the 46¢ levy scenario discussed in the community engagement presentation.