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Board hears Three Lakes report showing proposed $1.6M assessment increase; recommends external audit
Summary
A Three Lakes special‑education cooperative report warned of a proposed $1.6 million increase in assessments across six districts, discussed staffing cuts and a hiring freeze, and the board recommended an external audit (estimated ~$7,000) to clarify finances before accepting higher assessments.
During the Three Lakes report, presenters said the cooperative was aiming to build a contingency fund (10–18%) but currently faces shortfalls and a hiring/wage freeze. The cooperative estimates an increase in assessments across the six districts totaling about $1.6 million; for this district the proposal equated to roughly a $350,000 increase compared with the prior year.
"Right now they're looking at a 1.6 million increase in assessments for the all six districts combined," the superintendent summarized. Board members expressed concern about the impact on staffing, IEP compliance and the legal/operational limits of the cooperative. The group discussed potential responses including limited increases (the superintendent suggested a 4.7% baseline tied to KSDE guidance) and the feasibility of shared auditing.
Board members recommended an external audit to clarify Three Lakes finances before approving large increases. Staff said the cooperative had been advised to consider an outside audit (estimated at about $7,000) and noted that audit costs would be shared by member districts in proportion to their assessment percentages. Members discussed short‑term measures such as a potential no‑fund warrant to cover immediate obligations and the risk that service disruptions could follow significant staff cuts.
The board took no immediate final budget vote; members asked district leadership to continue representation at Three Lakes meetings, push for clearer numbers after June payrolls and consider contingent options if the cooperative cannot meet service obligations without a larger assessment.
