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Superintendent warns of driver shortage, budget uncertainty and potential end to free school meals
Summary
Superintendent Kirby told trustees the district faces transportation staffing shortages that may force route changes and that state budget uncertainty could mean the end of free school meals beginning Oct. 1 unless funding is finalized; he also reminded the community about an enhancement millage that provides roughly $3.5 million annually to the district.
Superintendent Kirby briefed the board on enrollment gains, transportation challenges and state budget risks. He said the district has seen a positive enrollment trend and added junior-kindergarten/GSRP classrooms, but that transportation staffing is strained and the district has implemented short-term route cancellations while recruiting drivers.
Kirby outlined possible operational responses used by other districts — consolidating stops, using subdivision-entry pickups, shuttles and adjusting school start times. "We're currently in a short term doing, plan cancellations so that families can, you know, prepare and be organized," he said, and added that some staff have been temporarily redeployed to driving duties.
On state funding, Kirby warned that proposals moving money away from the School Aid Fund and shifting retirement costs could leave districts without funding for free meals. "So we won't be able to continue to offer those free programs as well as any other schools in the state because they aren't funded," he said, noting the district's first state payment typically arrives in October. Kirby also reminded residents about a Nov. 4 enhancement-millage restoration and renewal that brings about $3,500,000 annually to the district and supports staffing and programs.
