A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to discussing potential legislative changes to funding mechanisms for school safety projects. A report from the Zeal Education Group, initially previewed in August, served as a foundation for these discussions. Concerns were voiced over the current limitations of Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) funds, which presently require expenditures to be “like for like.” This constraint frustrates efforts to improve safety features, such as adding security enhancements to school facilities.

The proposed legislative changes would permit school safety projects exceeding $100,000 to be covered under health and safety provisions, similar to how roof repairs have been managed. This would not affect the district’s usual annual LTFM allotment, allowing more substantial safety investments without impacting existing funding. The speaker emphasized the importance of maintaining financial flexibility to support ongoing district improvements and cited the district’s relatively strong financial position, with $955,000 available in funds, as a basis for seeking these changes.

There was also a review of previous legislative attempts to secure these flexibilities, which had passed in the Senate but stalled in the House. Board members expressed skepticism about future advocacy efforts, highlighting concerns over potential misallocation of funds. The necessity of maintaining minimum fund balances was stressed to protect essential educational functions, and the importance of transparency in budgetary processes was underscored.

In addition to discussing funding flexibility, the board also addressed student enrollment trends. Dr. Damer presented the opening day enrollment figures for the 2025-2026 school year, noting a decrease from the previous year but a slight increase above projections. The largest class sizes were in 12th and third grades, while kindergarten had the smallest class size. Concerns were raised about the decline in enrollment, with a significant drop of approximately 190 students from opening enrollment to current figures. Dr. Damer mentioned various factors contributing to these fluctuations, such as early graduations and student transitions to online programs.

Board members inquired about the number of students enrolled in other districts or private institutions, expressing the need for more detailed data on where these students were transferring. The discussion included the potential for boundary changes if enrollment trends persisted, emphasizing the need for stability in students’ home schools.

The meeting also featured a proposal for a field trip for civic leadership students to Washington, D.C., planned for May 2026. The trip aims to provide educational opportunities for students enrolled in the civic leadership program, with costs estimated at just under $2,400 per student. Efforts are underway to seek sponsorships from veteran organizations and explore fundraising opportunities. The trip was approved without further discussion.

A communication campaign for the 2025 levy referendum was another focal point of the meeting. The campaign’s goal is to inform and engage community voters, emphasizing the significance of schools and the benefits of the proposed levy. Multiple channels will be used to reach voters, including a dedicated website, social media, direct mail, and in-person meetings. The plan highlights transparency and accuracy, differentiating between factual communication and advocacy. Board involvement is deemed critical for the campaign’s success, with members encouraged to participate in outreach efforts.

The meeting concluded with a superintendent’s report indicating that the review and comment on the levy had not yet been approved by the Department of Education. This may necessitate a special board meeting to address the matter once approval is received, highlighting ongoing challenges with bureaucratic timelines.