Superintendent outlines staffing, referendum planning and explains withdrawal from electric school bus partnership

Superintendent Dr. Wayne Anderson told the board on Dec. 2 he is focusing on three priorities: staffing (recruitment and how space and sections are used in buildings), finances including possible referendum planning, and community engagement.

Anderson said he has conducted more than 30 meetings with staff and community members, visits multiple buildings and plans to present a targeted referendum proposal that would list specific items, their costs and the tax impact so voters can see precisely what money would fund and what budget impacts would result if a measure failed. He said the board has discussed timing and whether to pursue an April or November ballot.

On transportation, the president’s earlier report explained the district’s May 2024 joint application with Durham School Services and Highland Electric Fleets for an EPA-funded electric school bus program was approved; however Durham later ended its partnership with Highland and Highland asked the district to withdraw so funding could be reassigned. Anderson said taking on the cost of purchasing buses and installing related infrastructure would not be financially feasible for the district at this time; buses continue to be inspected annually and district staff reported adequate heat on the bus cited in prior public comment.