The council moved its superintendent search into high gear: 18 focus groups in two days, 166 people weighing in—from staff and students to parents and union leadership. What did they say the next 3–5 years will demand? Strong budget management and fiscal sustainability, plus recruiting and keeping great teachers and staff.
Recruitment got a timeline tweak: applications stay open until Dec 5, candidate slate lands Dec 15, first-round interviews mid-December, aiming to appoint by Jan 27.
There’s plenty of pride and service: SHS volleyball heads to sectionals at SE, a state-bound cross country runner earned his shot, and schools raised for United Way—pies to the face at Wilcox, apples and pickles at Owen Marsh. A district-wide food drive runs this week. Also, a career fair at the district office is hiring paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, SLPs, classroom teachers, and substitutes.
Big data update: the report card “pie” now weighs growth and chronic absenteeism for K–8, and graduation rate and freshman-on-track for high schools. Six schools improved their designations; 16 are commendable. Graduation rates rose 13 points over three years, and ACT reading jumped 14 points.
Property taxes are next on the docket: the board set an estimated 2025 levy at $129,391,117 and scheduled a truth-in-taxation public hearing for Dec 1. Want the full breakdown and what that means for next year’s budget? Watch to see how the levy process works and when you can weigh in.
