May 11, 2026 - The Last Word Before the Vote
With the May 19 election just days away, the board held its public budget hearing. This is the final formal step before residents decide the 2026–27 spending plan. The hearing itself was brief. There was a recap of the roughly $165 million budget and its 2.89% tax increase, with no questions from the public. The regular meeting that followed again reflected the tension that has built around the district this spring. A former board member spoke in defense of the superintendent, and board members pushed back on social-media criticism while insisting the district has been transparent. The night also brought a surprise day off, a large group of staff earning tenure, and a denied student discipline appeal.
What happened at the meeting
The budget hearing made the final case before May 19. The business office walked through the plan one last time, with around 80% of the budget going to classrooms and programs and about 7% to administration. The additions include math and biology teachers, more security staff, door-security upgrades, and building repairs. Budget newsletters have been mailed, and the spring forums are done.
The spring's tensions surfaced again. A former board member who had helped hire the superintendent spoke in her defense, reminding the room that a superintendent cannot unilaterally fire anyone and that holding staff accountable is not the same as having something to prove. Later in the meeting, board members said they generally don't respond to social media but that much of what circulates there isn't accurate. They invited residents to email them directly with questions and insisted the district has been open about big projects.
A surprise day off. Because the district hadn't used all the emergency closure days built into the calendar, it gave students and staff Friday, May 22, off, while keeping one day in reserve in case something comes up in June. Letters went home to families and staff that week.
A big tenure class, plus other personnel moves. The board granted tenure to 18 staff members, all effective in September. It also accepted the retirement of a longtime school psychologist and closed out a disciplinary case against a tenured employee who has resigned. As always with personnel matters, no further details were made public.
A student discipline appeal was denied. Meeting privately to protect the student's educational records, the board heard a family's appeal of a disciplinary decision and voted to uphold the decisions of the school administration and superintendent. The family can appeal the ruling to the state education commissioner.
The district explained how it hires support staff. A workshop on the civil-service process emphasized that those hires are based on exam scores and minimum qualifications, are required by state law, and are often slow. Officials said the process helps explain why a vacancy can take weeks or months to fill.
Safety equipment on track, and a few bright spots. Officials reiterated that metal detectors and handheld wands will be in place by the start of next school year, paid for within the budget. They also noted an 11th straight year of national recognition for the district's music program, a first-place finish by an RFA Envirothon team now advancing to the state competition, and a first-ever sixth-grade dance at Strough meant to help students get to know one another before moving up to middle school.