Wauzeka-Steuben budget hearing opens; proposed 2024–25 budget presented

Board of Education President Nikki Asleson called the School District of Wauzeka-Steuben's budget hearing to order at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Hornet's Nest Gym. Asleson told attendees that the budget hearing and annual meeting are district meetings conducted by the people and that votes on budget items are taken by voice as Pass or Fail.

District Administrator Gary Albrecht and District Business Office Manager Jeff Mara presented the 2023–24 financial report and the proposed 2024–25 budget, explaining the documents included with the hearing materials. The meeting packet also included the district's nondiscrimination/Title IX statement; the agenda states the district is "committed to the principle of equal education and employment opportunity and, accordingly, does not discriminate..." The district directed that public notices were emailed to local media and posted at several community locations before the hearing.

Those present were informed that the hearing is not a board meeting but a public district meeting; procedural items such as approval of minutes and adjournment proceed by motions and voice votes recorded in the minutes. No formal roll-call vote on the budget was recorded in the minutes; the hearing record shows procedural actions conducted by voice vote.