Wa-Nee board approves handbooks, AP English text and football travel; finance staff outline 2027 budget calendar

The Wa-Nee Community Schools board approved a series of routine items and heard a finance update at the meeting. Trustees voted 5-0 to approve the amended agenda and the consent slate of personnel items, donations and professional leave. The board then approved the districtK2d12 student handbooks and authorized an addition to the AP English course reading list.

On the AP English item, board members approved adding the novel discussed at the prior meeting; the transcript referenced "AP English 451," which corresponds to the commonly used text Fahrenheit 451. The board also approved an out-of-state overnight travel request for the high school football team scheduled for late July; that motion carried 5-0.

Jessica, the district finance presenter, briefed trustees on fund balances and timing: the education fund balance was reported at $7.9 million in April, operations ending balance at about $3.2 million (up roughly $70,000 from last April), and the referendum fund balance reported as approximately $346,000 (the presenter also referenced a prior-April figure near $315,000). Jessica said the district expects variability in referendum invoices across months and noted the district is using bond proceeds for some expenses. She also described staffing changes and other cost-saving measures for the school lunch fund and cited a state report estimating a potential impact of about $566,000 tied to Senate Bill One and related homestead credit changes.

On schedule, staff outlined the 2027 budget timeline: district staff will seek permission to advertise the budget in August, hold a public hearing on Sept. 14 and bring the adoption resolution to the board on Oct. 12.

With no further business, the board moved and seconded a motion to adjourn.