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Monroe budget workshop spotlights special education costs and a push for more building-level administrators
Summary
At a Jan. 5 Monroe School District budget workshop, administrators sought funding for an assistant principal at Stephanie Elementary and modest speech-pathology FTE increases, citing growing special-education needs and a $1.34 million excess-cost reimbursement estimate. Board asked staff to pursue vendor quotes and grant opportunities.
Monroe School District leaders on Jan. 5 outlined budget requests aimed at bolstering services for high‑need students, including a recommended assistant principal at Stephanie Elementary and a 0.3 FTE increase for speech‑language services.
The elementary presentation emphasized that the school has high needs — “93 special education students, 23 multilingual learners, 93 free and reduced‑lunch students” — and argued an on‑site assistant principal would allow administrators to run required meetings locally and provide more instructional leadership. “That’s 93 meetings that I’m attending each year,” the school leader said, describing how an additional administrator would free central office staff and allow more classroom walkthroughs and in‑the‑moment coaching.
District administrators also reported special‑education figures and finances. In December the packet showed seven students dismissed from services and nine newly eligible, bringing the district‑reported total cited in the packet to 695. Staff said the district certified excess‑cost reimbursement at about $1.34 million (approximately 63%) and expects the first state payment at the end of this month or in early February.
The board discussed funding sources available for capital and repairs, including the state’s District Repair and Improvement Project (DRIP) formula; staff said Monroe is estimated to receive roughly $150,000 in both 2026 and 2027 for minor capital projects. Presenters recommended using grant opportunities and the DRIP allocation for targeted roof or infrastructure work that would not preclude future applications under program rules.
At the meeting the board also approved a personnel appointment: the hiring of Ellie Freed to the English department was moved, seconded and approved during the meeting (the transcript records the motion and a second by Christine Greg; exact vote counts were not specified). Board members scheduled follow‑up workshops — including special education, curriculum and facilities sessions — ahead of the district’s budget lock date on Jan. 23.
Next steps: staff will return with requested vendor quotes and grant follow‑up information at upcoming workshops; the board expects to finalize budget votes at the regular meeting cycle and the Jan. 23 budget deadline.
