District leaders warn a 0% state funding proposal would feel like a cut; raise concerns over reserves and extraordinary-cost fund

Trustees heard an extended briefing on statewide budget and legislative issues following the governor's budget address. A district presenter described the 0% proposed increase as effectively reducing district buying power and flagged changes to reserve-percentage allocations being discussed at the state level.

"0% isn't just 0 to schools. It's a cut," the presenter said, summarizing the practical effect of holding nominal funding flat while costs rise. Board members and staff described concerns expressed by statewide superintendents about the teacher accountability rules, noted that many districts are dipping into reserves (with 75% of survey respondents reporting reserve use), and stressed that the extraordinary-cost fund has not kept pace with inflation over decades. The presenter also touched on assessment changes — noting that the Smarter Balanced assessment faces renewal and that broader use of ACT as the statewide assessment could lower average scores because of universal participation.

Board members discussed potential legislative priorities, the difficulty of balancing competitiveness for staff pay amid flat state funding, and the implications for local budgeting if property-tax relief or other offsets are enacted without replacement revenues. The discussion was framed as preliminary as sessions and legislative negotiations continue.