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Meridian board approves revised FY27 staffing plan, including reductions in force
Summary
The Meridian CUSD 223 Board of Education voted 4–2 to approve a revised FY27 staffing plan that includes reductions in force. The action followed public comment criticizing transparency and staffing shortages and came after a presentation by Superintendent Dr. Plourde.
The Board of Education of Meridian Community Unit School District #223 approved a revised FY27 staffing plan and reductions in force on March 4, 2026. The motion, made by Board member Morrow and seconded by DeVries, carried with four Ayes (Huber, Morrow, DeVries, Smith) and two Nays (Behmer, Collins).
Superintendent Dr. Plourde reviewed the staffing plan for the board before the vote. Multiple community members spoke during public comment opposing aspects of district staffing and oversight. Rob Hanna argued for changes in grading and questioned how many of the 27-plus positions added since COVID were administrative rather than teacher roles; he also called the meeting “the least ‘open’ open meeting he had been to.” John Seper said the meeting violated the Open Meetings Act by relying on remote viewing, an allegation the board did not address with a formal response during the session.
Board members who voted in favor said the revised plan reflected necessary adjustments to align staffing with the district’s FY27 budget; the minutes record Morrow as the motion’s mover and DeVries as seconder. The record does not include the detailed amendment language or the specific positions eliminated; those details were not provided in the public minutes.
