Fowler Public Schools board votes 4-3 to seek work meeting with Meade to bring 7th and 8th grades back

The Fowler Public Schools Board of Education voted 4-3 on Oct. 14, 2024, at Fowler Elementary School to call a work meeting with Meade to transition 7th grade back to Fowler USD 225 beginning in 2025–2026 and 8th grade beginning in 2026–2027 and to ensure current funding reflects those changes. Board member Jessica Ackerman moved the measure and board member Omar Mijares seconded; the motion carried 4-3.

The motion also asked that the board and Meade continue an appropriate sports agreement for all affected 7th- and 8th-grade students. The board’s action specified that any and all current funding should be adjusted so USD 225 retains Base State Aid Per Pupil and appropriate weightings tied to the returning grades.

Board members who voted against the motion were Dana Bartezko, Cathy Heinz and Jeff Zortman; the board did not record any roll-call explanation beyond the vote. The meeting record shows no amendment to the motion and no executive session on the subject.

The board received a prior report on the existing Meade bus agreement earlier in the meeting; the motion directs the administration to schedule a work meeting with Meade to negotiate the timing and funding changes described in the motion. No dollar amounts or implementation timetable beyond the school-year transitions were specified in the motion.

Next steps: the board will convene the requested work meeting with Meade to negotiate the proposed grade transitions and funding adjustments; no further board action on the matter was recorded at the Oct. 14 meeting.