March 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  Robotics

Description:  1.  MCA's will go from March 2nd through May 8th.  We will also have the final Fastbridge assessments that have been ongoing throughout the year and will end around May 9th. We recently completed the CAPTI ReadBasix assessment and spent some time on February 13 looking at that data.

2.  March 26th is Region VI Day at the Capitol. Angel has been working hard with setting up our meetings with our legislators. I will also be there with MSBA/MASA joint day at the Capitol on March 9.

3.  Legislative Update: Bills of particular interest that have been discussed the last couple of weeks include the following:**This is not intended to be a complete list of all bills introduced each week but rather a list of bills that are aligned with priorities or include significant policy changes.

The FY 2026-27 projected balance is now $3.7 billion, $1.3 billion higher than November estimates. A slightly improved economic outlook drives a higher revenue forecast largely driven by more volatile sources of revenue. Spending growth outpaces revenue growth through projections for FY 2029. 

The projected general fund balance for the FY 2028-29 biennium is now $377 million, however a significant structural imbalance remains. Shifting policies at the federal level and missing or incomplete data due to recent federal government shutdowns introduce significant uncertainty to the projections. 

H. F. 3371, Increasing local optional revenue for school districts with limited referendum revenue authority.
H. F. 3492, Authorizing the commissioner of education to award school safety facility grants to schools to enhance safety for students and staff.
H. F. 3493, Increasing safe schools revenue; making safe schools revenue available to charter schools, cooperative units, nonpublic schools, and Tribal contract schools.
H. F. 3511, Increasing funding for school safety; increasing local optional aid for schools; limiting state-paid free school lunches to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines; appropriating money.
H. F. 3653, Increasing safe schools revenue to school districts; providing safe schools aid to charter schools and cooperative units
H. F. 3654, Renaming the local optional revenue program; increasing the program's funding; appropriating money
H. F. 3770, Allowing a school district or charter school to opt out of statewide assessments.
H. F. 3776, Prohibiting screen time for children in preschool and kindergarten
H. F. 3790,  Restoring lease levy authority for space necessary for graduation ceremonies
S.F. No. 3908:  Authorizing continued enrollment for students for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year
S.F. No. 3909:  Repealing the contingent reduction in special education aid appropriations
S.F. No. 3963: Providing for five-member school boards

Important Upcoming Dates
February 27: updated budget forecast
March 20, 2026: Eid Break
March 27, 2026: First and Second Committee Deadlines
March 27-April 7, 2026: Easter/Passover Break
April 17, 2026: Third Committee Deadline
May 18, 2026: Adjournment of Legislative Session

4.  MASA Spring Conference is on March 19-20.  Carla and I are registered and plan to attend the conference.  I will be presenting on Friday about general leadership. This is also the same day as the American Indian Education Conference, where we will have staff members and our AIPAC team attending.

5. If you are planning on attending graduation on May 29 in the evening, please let Angel know. Graduation is expected to take place at 7:00 pm and on the turf field. Arrival time would be around 6:30 pm.

6. Rick and his team has been working hard with scheduling our final part of our work related to our referendum. Major summer projects will include the HS roofing and tennis courts updates. The work is expected to start on May 4, and is expected to have minimal impact to the school day. 

Description:  A public body shall close one or more meetings for preliminary consideration of allegations or charges against an individual subject to its authority.  If the members conclude that discipline of any nature is warranted as a result of those specific charges or allegations, further meetings or hearings related to those specific charges or allegations held after that conclusion is reached must be open.  A meeting must also be open at the request of the individual who is the subject of the meeting.
 

Description:  I recommend approving the personnel items as presented.

Description:  Policy 706 Acceptance of Gifts permits the school board to accept donations or gifts under the terms of the policy.  I recommend accepting the gifts as described in the enclosure.  Thank you to those who have donated to our schools and students. 

Description:  Our regular school board meeting is scheduled for April 6.  Easter is on April 5.  We have no school on April 6.  Reschedule?