Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Meeting Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Polytech board approves $27.1M FY26 preliminary budget, advances paid parental leave policy
Summary
At its Aug. 12 meeting the POLYTECH School District Board approved a $27.1 million FY26 preliminary operating budget, set adult meal prices while student breakfasts will be free under state law, advanced Board Policy 4513 (paid parental leave) on first reading, and approved multiple personnel actions; votes were unanimous.
The POLYTECH School District Board on Aug. 12 approved a $27.1 million preliminary operating budget for fiscal 2026 and took a series of personnel and policy actions during a meeting in the John S. Walls Board Room and via Zoom.
Nicholas Johnson, who reviewed the district's financials, told the board the district has collected just under $17.0 million in revenue year to date and reported approximately $3.1 million in expenditures and encumbrances. Johnson said preliminary FY26 spending increases are driven largely by state and local salaries, technology purchases, child nutrition and maintenance costs. The board approved the FY26 preliminary budget unanimously; Johnson said a final budget will be presented after the state funding picture is clearer and unit counts are certified in November.
The board also approved a Financial Position Report projecting a $6.2 million reserve as of Oct. 15, 2025; Johnson said the state focuses on that number meeting at least one month’s local payroll obligation. Vote on the financial position report was unanimous.
On school meals, Johnson proposed adult meal prices required by federal rules: adult breakfast at $2.85 and adult lunch at $5.50. He said student prices remain unchanged (student lunch $1.75, the pre-pandemic level) and that, under Substitute 1 to House Bill 91, school breakfast will be provided free to all students in non-CEP schools this year. The board approved the meal-fee schedule unanimously.
The board approved an updated high school calendar to move graduation to Saturday, June 6, 2026, (rain date Monday, June 8) after a scheduling change to the National SkillsUSA competition.
The board voted unanimously to advance proposed revisions to Board Policy 4513 — Paid Parental Leave Procedures — on first reading. The draft policy (as presented) aligns district rules with Section 1333 of Title 14 of Delaware law, defines eligibility for full- and part-time employees, establishes a 60-workday paid parental leave entitlement for eligible employees, specifies that paid parental leave runs concurrently with FMLA and Short-Term Disability, and sets notice and certification requirements. The board approved the first reading; final adoption will follow usual board procedures.
Dr. LaTonya Pierce presented personnel recommendations. The board approved full-time hires (including Hillary Baird, Music Teacher and Band Director, effective Aug. 13, 2025, and Shannon Legg, Workforce Development Coordinator, effective date TBD), accepted the retirement of Daniel Webber (Custodian, effective Sept. 1, 2025), and approved a slate of part-time Adult Education and extracurricular hires. All personnel motions passed by roll call, with all recorded members voting yes.
The meeting record shows no public comments on action items. The board adjourned at 4:38 p.m.
