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Committee presses staff on staffing, program and line-item questions
Summary
Committee members pressed district staff on several line items, including unemployment compensation (100-2520-232), a decrease in 100-2240 tied to Crater Lake Learning Center reallocation, the DAP kindergarten rollout (100-1111), and increases in restrictive programs (100-1229); staff committed to email clarifications.
Budget committee members raised multiple substantive questions about program staffing and specific line items in the proposed 2025–26 budget.
Jacen Jespersen flagged fund 100-2520-232 (fiscal services/unemployment compensation) as possibly under-budgeted for 2025–26 and asked staff to confirm the appropriate amount. Staff agreed to investigate and report back. Mr. Jespersen also questioned why 100-2240 was considerably lower than the prior year; staff explained many of those expenses were moved to a fund associated with Crater Lake Learning Center and promised a follow-up email with exact allocations.
Dr. Doris Ellison explained instructional changes driving a slight increase in 100-1111 (elementary instruction), saying KCSD will be using the DAP (developmentally appropriate program) kindergarten model next year and the increases are associated with rolling out the new classroom model. Diana Otero pressed on rising classified FTEs and salaries in 100-1229 (restrictive programs for students with disabilities); staff linked the change to meeting growing special services student needs and to redistributing risk-management duties between administrators. Brooke Kliewer asked whether hiring employees would be more cost-effective than contract services; staff said hiring generally is more cost-effective but a lack of trained applicants forces use of contractors in some areas.
Committee members were encouraged to continue emailing Mrs. Melsness with any additional questions.
