Superintendent outlines enrollment plan, new hires and grant requests

Superintendent Dr. Joe Clark told the board that kindergarten open-enrollment applications will not be considered until August, after most Waterloo resident students enroll, because the district plans for two kindergarten sections and does not receive extra state funding for open-enrolled students. "Open enrollment should not drive the hiring of a 3rd teacher because our district does not receive extra funding for open enrolled students," he said.

Dr. Clark said the district is prepared to add a third teacher if resident enrollment requires it but emphasized the district will cover any additional staffing from the general fund. He noted that about 20% of students are on individualized education programs and that adding two intervention specialists is intended to improve special-education outcomes.

The superintendent thanked the Boohr Family Foundation for support of the community track and said a few safety items remain before the track opens. He also said the district had "just about $43,000 in new funding coming to us, through some grants," and that he and Bart Rock had submitted a request for a $40,000 project-based grant to enhance school security, including cameras at the stadium, up to 20 new computers for security monitoring, and replacement of faulty entry doors.

Board members asked clarifying questions about staffing plans and where open-enrolled students' costs would be covered; administrators responded that prior open‑enrollment funding no longer accompanies those students, so the district must account for related staffing from its general fund.

The board approved grant and donation items later in the meeting (a $3,007.29 grant was approved during the treasurer report, and the $40,000 security grant will be considered on next month’s agenda).