Superintendent outlines budget shortfall, recommends pursuing elementary closure; board schedules public meetings

The superintendent reviewed the district budget outlook and recommended the board pursue a potential elementary school closure as part of balancing the budget for fiscal year 2027.

Administration said the district faces roughly $2.1 million in new expenses and is projecting a net reduction of 39 full-time-equivalent positions across certified and classified staff. The superintendent said the district is currently "above the line" financially but recommended the board begin the formal public-notice and hearing process to consider closing an elementary building effective for fiscal year 2027. He outlined procedural steps and recommended using the May 26 special work session to provide additional public input and the June 8 regular meeting for the official public hearing required by state statute.

Board members discussed outreach approaches to reach working families (evening events, school-based meetings and community locations) and asked staff to publish legal notices and a flyer with consistent information. The board agreed to transform the May 26 work session into a special board meeting open for public comment (5:00 PM) and to hold the official public hearing on June 8; staff will publish the statutorily required newspaper notices on the proposed schedule.

Next steps: staff will publish legal notices, prepare informational materials for families (including sign-up deadlines for public comment), and present more detailed closure planning and financial analyses at the May 26 special meeting and the June 8 hearing.