Denise Banchs

The meeting involved discussions and information sharing regarding the 2026 fiscal year revenue and expenditure projections, including staffing allocations, salary schedules, compensation, and fringe benefits. An overview of budget components such as Average Daily Membership (ADM), student weights, transportation, and base support level funding per pupil was provided. Enrollment trends for several districts were reviewed, noting declines across most, including Osborn (-4.9%). Revenue projections for FY27 were presented, showing a decrease compared to the current year due to declining student enrollment (ADM down approximately 114 students). The impact of enrollment decline on current year funding was also discussed, indicating the use of prior year savings to offset the deficit. The committee developed a working list of future discussion items related to budgetary spending and savings, and members agreed to look for savings opportunities at their respective sites or departments.

The meeting commenced with a land acknowledgement and student pledge, followed by school celebrations including recognition for Ms. Georges and the presentation of OMS Spread L.O.V.E. awards for Integrity, Equity, Joy, Growth, and Relationships. Governing Board members provided updates on various events attended, such as the volleyball game, Longview concert, and Merriment in Melrose event, highlighting the need for a Performing Arts Center. Following a short break, the consent agenda, which included ratification of accounts payable and payroll vouchers, and approval of personnel items, various partnership agreements (including renewals with NAU and Community Family Services), and out-of-state travel requests, was approved with noted edits to the December 2 Work Study minutes. Action items included the approval of Preschool Tuition Rates for the 26-27 School Year and the approval of Open Enrollment Capacity for the 2026-2027 School Year. The updated Facility Use Fee Schedule, effective January 1, was also approved. Board development discussion focused on student outcomes measurement and the process for strategic planning using surveys and focus sessions. Future agenda items requested included academic goal updates, safety protocol updates, an impact review of Social Workers, and parent survey data.

The meeting agenda included several reports from the Governing Board and schools, featuring a presentation from Clarendon School highlighting its recent happenings, the Girls on the Run program, and the presentation of Spread LOVE Awards. Public input was welcomed via call-in or in-person. Key consent agenda items involved the ratification of Accounts Payable Vouchers for the period of December 2 through December 31, 2025, ratification of Payroll Vouchers for December 1 through December 31, 2025, and approval of various personnel actions including new employees, changes in assignment, and leaves of absence. The board also addressed the approval of a Grand Canyon University Unpaid Non-Clinical Internship Agreement. Action items for the meeting included the Board Reorganization (election of President and Clerk, establishment of meeting dates), approval of the FY25 Audit Report, adoption of revisions to Open Enrollment Policy JFB-RA, and a recommendation regarding Contract # 2024.01 for Capital Project Management. Administrative reports covered updates on completed work and upcoming events, alongside specific reports on suspensions, absences, substitute teachers, and student enrollment as of January. Information updates included an OEA update and presentation of Winter 2025-2026 Academic Data.

The meeting included reports on facility tours related to upcoming bond projects and feedback from a recent union meeting, which strongly supported a student free day designated for professional development for both certified and classified staff. A significant discussion point was the approval process for this student free day, which initially resulted in a tied vote before being passed three to two. The board also received a school presentation from Clarendon focusing on academic excellence initiatives, specifically the 'Writing Revolution' program, which emphasizes sentence-level writing skills, evidence, elaboration, and conventions. The presentation included student work examples and showed positive growth data from writing benchmarks between the beginning of the year and December. Following the academic review, a band performance was held, detailing the progression of beginning band students from mouthpiece practice to playing simple songs. The session concluded with the presentation of 'Spread Love Awards' to several staff members—Stephanie Gonzalez (Joy), Sammy Serrano (Growth), Rachel Anderson (Relationships), Maya Orosco (Integrity), and Amber Stevens (Equity)—and an award for Julia Georgees (implied equity/dedication for securing instrument grants). Announcements were also made regarding successful grant funding secured by the band teacher for new instruments.

The key discussion item for this meeting involved policy review related to meet and confer procedures. Specific topics addressed included current ASBA policies (HE and HD), the historical transition from Meet and Confer to the Budget Committee, ongoing conversations involving district administration, the Osborn Education Association, and the Governing Board, and the transition to The TRUST Model Policies, including a review of sample model policies.