Tom Rambo

The board meeting included a report from the teachers' union representative regarding ongoing bargaining. The financial report for April 2026 was presented, highlighting progress in funding sources such as the State School Fund and Federal Forest Fees. The district presented an application to the Oregon Department of Education for a grade level expansion at Rogue Primary School. Additionally, the board reviewed a Memorandum of Agreement concerning qualifications for the Masters stipend for school psychologists, with a vote on the matter scheduled for a future session.

The committee reviewed the proposed budget for the 2026-2027 school year, including staffing approaches, special education program shifts, and various departmental financial updates. Specific discussions addressed contingency policies, payroll costs, insurance utilization, technology and hardware investments, and capital project allocations. The committee examined detailed budget line items for individual schools, the Technology Office, Transportation, and District-wide expenditures. The budget committee ultimately approved the proposed 2026-2027 budget, the permanent tax rate, and the debt service fund tax levy.

The board meeting featured a presentation from the Theatre Arts department detailing student engagement in programming, productions, and competitions. The Board reviewed the first reading of a policy regarding the admission of exchange students. Action items included the adoption of the 2026-2027 school calendar and the approval of a cooperative purchasing agreement with the Applegate Trail Child Nutrition Purchasing Group. Additionally, the Board recognized staff achievements, including the Western Region Director of the Year award for school nutrition and the Advisor of the Year award from the Oregon Association of Student Councils.

The meeting included the selection of presiding officers and a review of the committee's roles and responsibilities regarding the budget. The administration presented the budget message, highlighting the focus on high-quality education, challenges related to flat student enrollment, and rising costs for special education and mandated policy requirements. The financial presentation detailed the structure of education funding in Oregon, the development process for the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, and specific budgetary considerations including transportation contract costs, payroll, staffing adjustments, and the status of various state and federal funding streams.

The meeting featured a presentation from the student representative regarding various campus achievements and extracurricular activities. The Site Showcase highlighted Crater High School’s strategic initiatives, including expanded dual credit and AP opportunities, internship growth, community partnerships, and the successful launch of the student-led Crater Print Shop. Additionally, the Board reviewed the Southern Oregon ESD Local Service Plan, considered an application for a Budget Committee vacancy, evaluated an annexation request for Scenic Middle School property into the City of Central Point, and approved a Memorandum of Agreement regarding a flexible working schedule for a staff member.