Leaner Budget Expected Next Year
The Council School Board held their regular meeting on November 19. All board members were present. No public comment was offered at the beginning of the meeting.
Board Chair Steve Ryals stated that the Administrative reports will no longer be done verbally during the meeting by the various department heads. Instead, the board will review the printed report in their packets and ask questions if needed. Ryals said this is to expedite board meetings and to save time.
Interim Superintendent Brian Joyce reported that Senator Cindy Carlson will be looking at the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) funding model this coming legislative session. (Read her argument here: https://allinforidaho.substack.com/p/idaho-taxpayers-youre-being-charged). In short, the district uses IDLA and it’s loss or reduction would be a detriment to the district, according to Joyce.
Funding at the state level for education is expected to be flat at best, according to discussion between Joyce and Ryals. Additionally, Ryals stated that “this year we supplemented the general fund with savings in order to balance the budget. That’s not going to happen this year, we’re going to come in with a balanced the budget, without dipping into savings. . . .It might be a tight year.”
Joyce also reported that the SRO Chris Carlisle ‘is a breath of fresh air’ to have in the district.
Ryals emphasized the need to get on planning construction projects so that they can get done in the summer months.
The server upgrade is a must now as the old one is causing issues. Channel Sanderson with Council Computers expects to get the server set up and running for under $12,000. Sanderson also discussed replacing the approximately 200 Chromebooks that are in use in the district at about $200 a piece. These devices will lose manufacturer support in 2027 and were paid for by the district with one-time funds. This would be about a $40,000 expense if purchased.
The board went into executive session and afterwards approved the hiring of a new substitute teacher.
