Board hears update on possible 1% sales‑tax referendum for school construction, timeline now tight for November ballot

Dr. Lyle briefed the board on recent biennium language that would permit localities to place a 1% sales‑tax option on the ballot to fund school construction, and advised that the district would have needed to finalize preparations this month to place the measure on the November ballot. "Right now, this is not in code... it is part of the biennium," Dr. Lyle said, warning that additional legal or administrative steps may be required before a referendum can proceed.

Board members debated whether the board of supervisors had previously declined to allow the referendum process this fall and discussed possible carve‑outs proposed by supervisors that could reduce the district’s share (one board member mentioned a potential $417,000 carve‑out). Members agreed the district must coordinate quickly with the board of supervisors and that communication to the public would be essential if the locality pursues the option in a future cycle.