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Superintendent highlights steady enrollment and urges state fixes to MSOC, special education and pupil transportation funding
Summary
Superintendent Jerrad Jeske told the board enrollment holds at 563 and urged the 2025 Legislature to increase MSOC funding, fully fund special education, and reform the pupil transportation allocation (STARS); he also highlighted sharp district insurance cost increases.
Superintendent Jerrad Jeske reported Nov. 25 that district enrollment remains steady at 563 students (not including transitional kindergarten) and said district leaders continue regular classroom visits to monitor instruction.
Jeske used his report to outline three legislative priorities for the 2025 session: raise the Materials, Supplies and Operating Costs (MSOC) allocation to better match actual non‑personnel expenses; fully fund special education services so districts are not forced to use local levy dollars; and reform the Student Transportation Allocation Reporting System (STARS) so pupil transportation funding is more transparent, predictable and adequate.
Jeske highlighted recent insurance cost increases as part of the budget context: insurance costs were $191,636.26 in 2022–23, $286,544.32 in 2023–24 (a 49% increase) and $370,247.60 in 2024–25 (a 32% increase). He also recognized Transportation Supervisor Jenny Janson and substitute drivers for keeping routes operating, and noted a new bus driver, Bruce Blood, is taking over a Fairfield route.
