Highlights about Education

The board hears urgent calls from teachers, parents, and students to strengthen protections for immigrant families, clarify law enforcement protocols, and address staff shortages in therapy services. Concerns about attendance barriers and fair wages for classified employees are also raised.

The board reviewed a projected $17.9 million deficit for next year and discussed a three-year plan to reduce spending, including immediate efficiency measures and multi-year budget cuts. Updates on state funding, property tax challenges, and recent cost-saving moves were also shared.

The board addressed ongoing teacher vacancies, new efforts to recruit international educators, and improvements in bus transportation, including driver bonuses and a Spanish class for drivers. A new policy committee was launched, and concerns about facility safety and the Montessori program at Little River were raised during public comment.

The board heard the superintendent’s retirement announcement after decades of service and received a detailed overview of the upcoming search process, including costs, timeline, and next steps for selecting new leadership.