Midyear budget and academic report: officials flag insurance, legal costs and low math benchmarks

At the district’s midyear review, business manager Kristen Carell told the board the district is about halfway through the fiscal year and that most categories are on track. She flagged two exceptions: legal costs — driven by ongoing bargaining — and maintenance costs that are trending above budget.

Kristen noted the district is ‘‘on track to stay under budget for the year’’ in most categories but said legal and maintenance remain higher than usual. Payroll presented for board review totaled $8,316.46. The board discussed the district’s revenue-estimating tool and longer-term budget timeline.

Administrators presented the midyear academic snapshot based on STAR 360 testing. For K–3 reading, about 69% of students were at or above the benchmark, with 24% ‘‘on watch’’ and 7% significantly below. Math results were weaker: roughly 34% of students were at or above the benchmark, 25% slightly below, and about 41% were one or more grade levels below expectations. Staff highlighted a growth measure showing 52% of students demonstrating expected gains; they emphasized the need for targeted Tier 2/3 supports, instructional coaching and professional development.

The board discussed funding sources for interventions. Administrators said the district can use ESSER funds for professional development and after-school/summer interventions and noted that the PCI academy represents a distinct revenue stream. In presentation of the multi-year revenue estimates, staff described roughly $650,000 of state funding tied to the K–8 program and a separate pot (presented as about $1.48 million) associated with the PCI program; staff cautioned that PCI funding depends on maintaining required partner-district relationships.

An ESD representative also cautioned the board about rising insurance costs in the region, noting that state laws and regional risks such as wildfire and weather events have increased school insurance pressures. Board members requested continued updates as staff refine numbers for the four-year budget plan.