Board hears FY27 budget first reading; moves budget to executive session and later adopts alternate pay plan

Mister Pettit, the district finance presenter, opened the first reading of the fiscal-year 2027 general fund budget, saying the district projected $105,442,569 in revenue and had added “the substitute teacher budget, which is $1,200,000,” to address staffing needs. He described three compensation scenarios the administration modeled: an administration-recommended 3% across-the-board raise (Scenario 1), a plan that increases principals and assistant principals to 4% (Scenario 2), and a targeted approach cutting raises for directors and above to 2% (Scenario 3).

Board members pressed for detail. Several asked whether assistant principals and principals were more behind peer districts, and whether a separate director-of-finance role or additional training would be a better use of funds. Pettit outlined the functions and projected cost of three decision-point positions — a compliance coordinator, a director of community and employee relations, and a director of finance — and said the three together accounted for roughly $422,000 of the general-fund impact. During discussion a board member moved to table the first reading and take personnel and position decisions in executive session; that motion carried unanimously.

After executive session the board returned with multiple motions. The board unanimously extended the superintendent’s relocation timeline by three months and then amended the budget motion: it adopted Scenario 2 — a 3% raise for all employees with principals and assistant principals receiving 4% — and approved only one of the three proposed new positions, the compliance coordinator in student services. The motions passed by unanimous roll call; the board directed administration to implement the approved changes and return for final readings as required.