At the heart of the discussions was the ongoing challenge of funding special education. The board deliberated the allocation of a portion of the budget—28.3%—to special education. The discussion extended to the feasibility of offering more special education programs within the district to curtail reliance on the more expensive private out-of-district programs. The board examined the costs associated with out-of-district tuitions and the potential for collaborative solutions with neighboring districts.

Moreover, the board scrutinized transportation services for special education students, especially those who require individualized attention such as one-to-one aides or nurses due to medical issues. The high costs of such personalized transportation prompted the board to consider alternative options, including the consolidation of bus routes and grouping students from different areas to optimize efficiency.

The topic of transportation also encompassed the discussion of students attending private schools and the associated financial implications. The board reviewed the district’s responsibility for providing transportation to these students and the complexities involved in managing these logistics.

Aside from special education and transportation, the board’s focus was firmly on the 2024-2025 budget presentation. Highlighting the district’s points of pride from the current year’s budget, such as professional development, operational improvements, and building and grounds projects, the board, along with the superintendent and the finance committee, presented a detailed budget plan. The plan included the addition of new staff members—a full-time special education teacher and a part-time school counselor—to support student development.

The board also emphasized the revenue sources for the budget, including a tax levy of $13.3 million, $1.1 million from state aid, and $1.3 million from reserves. Despite the increase, the board expressed a commitment to detailed fiscal planning and the pursuit of cost-saving measures.

During the budget discussions, the board outlined the various factors influencing school funding, such as property values, the income of district residents, and enrollment trends. The district’s efforts to save funds were demonstrated through its engagement in shared services, which includes transportation for special education students and purchasing cooperatives for school supplies, utilities, and insurance.

The board also discussed capital projects slated for the upcoming year, including the replacement of HVAC units and the renovation of stairwells.

In recognition of the hard work involved in budget planning, the board extended its gratitude to the budget committee and touched upon the need to enhance the visual presentation of the budget to facilitate better understanding among stakeholders.

In other discussions, the board addressed facility usage, reporting on preconstruction meetings for roof replacement and exhaust fans, and introduced a new item related to community volunteerism for resurfacing the basketball court. Additionally, the Public Relations committee discussed the distribution of a survey to parents to gather feedback and the Personnel committee presented an item related to a review process.

The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss legal matters, special education, and personnel issues.

The board attorney clarified that parents could request and receive copies of the report.