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Chair Hansen previews budget-reduction proposal, cites pandemic funds and PSEO as pressures
Summary
Chair Hansen presented the Finance Committee's budget-reduction proposal, saying one-time pandemic funds used for added staffing have ended, enrollment has declined, and growing PSEO participation shifts per-pupil funding to colleges. The board scheduled staff and community sessions for early February to review recommendations and gather feedback.
Chair Hansen presented the Finance Committee's budget-reduction proposal and outlined the main fiscal pressures facing the district. Hansen said pandemic-era, limited-time funds previously used for increased staffing to address learning loss have ended, enrollment has declined, and "more students taking advantage of PSEO for which the majority of per-pupil funding goes to the attended higher ed institution," shifting revenue away from district operations.
Hansen summarized recurring public feedback from the district survey, including a desire to keep class sizes small and reduce administrative costs. He also clarified that "these recommendations from the Finance committee (see Scott's proposal) do not include recommendations to implement grade banding, 4-day school week, or moving away from block schedules," indicating those options remain possible topics for future years. The board scheduled an all-staff meeting on Feb. 2 (4:00 PM, online) and a community meeting on Feb. 4 (6:30 PM) for staff and public input. No formal motions or votes were recorded during the work session.
