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Committee debates staffing priorities — athletic trainer, reading supports — and begins override planning
Summary
Committee members urged adding an athletic trainer and targeted literacy supports to the FY26 plan and agreed to hold workshops after the holidays to develop override messaging and multi-year projections, noting charter deadlines limit immediate resubmission of the FY26 number.
During the FY26 budget discussion, committee members pressed for additional staffing beyond a bare 'level service' budget, arguing that certain hires are essential to meet students’ needs.
Members discussed three staffing categories: direct student supports (for example, a proposed elementary reading teacher for grades 4–5 and an interventionist), instructional-coaching roles (a math coach and a literacy specialist who would work with teachers), and program-expansion hires (a business/tech leader and additional science staff to support Innovation Pathways). Several members said the athletic-trainer position should be prioritized as an equity and safety measure because EMS coverage historically centered on high-contact sports such as football.
The committee considered the trade-offs of using one-time funds from revolving accounts to bridge needs versus funding recurring positions permanently. Brian noted the recommended budget includes a $500,000 contribution from revolving accounts and that some revenue streams (school‑choice reimbursements) have declined.
On process, members agreed the FY26 submission must be finalized by the charter deadline but that override planning should take a multi-year view. They proposed holding workshops after the holidays to produce a refined, multi-year override request and public-facing messaging. The committee discussed framing options — whether to present 'level service' as a baseline or to present the recommended request as 'level service plus these essential positions.'
No final decision was made to add additional positions beyond those already in the recommended request; the committee approved the FY26 submission tonight and will revisit further adjustments in follow-up workshops if funding or data change.
