Superintendent reports stable enrollment, new grant applications and warns of potential federal funding cuts

Superintendent Gallagher told trustees the district had 1,138 students in January, a figure consistent with recent months, and reviewed progress on board goals including efforts following a failed bond measure. Gallagher said the district submitted a $2.5 million seismic grant application for the high‑school gym and a $1,000,000 capital improvement grant application to state sources; he described those grants as competitive but important to advance projects associated with a previously proposed bond.

On federal funding, Gallagher said a lobbyist advised the district to prepare for a potential reduction of about 25% in federal dollars next year. "Altogether, right now, that equates to about $2,000,000 the [district] receives in federal funds," he said, and noted a 25% drop would be difficult to replace in one year. The superintendent said the district will watch developments in Washington, D.C., during the budget cycle and plan accordingly.

Gallagher also described proposed shifts to secondary start times and bus schedules intended to have students traveling in daylight and to better align with research on adolescent schedules. He provided specific pickup windows for district campuses and said the changes were crafted to reduce early-morning dark pickups. On facilities, Gallagher highlighted softball-field drainage improvements and ongoing verification of fire‑alarm components with the regional fire marshal and vendor CNS.