Finance and Planning Committee Meeting Minutes ~ September 2, 2025

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Board of School Commissioners

Finance & Strategic Planning Committee Meeting Minutes

September 2, 2025

 

Committee Members Present: Marybeth Lennox-Levins, Chair Karen Bossi (left at 7:14 pm)   Committee Members Not Present: Courtney Collins Whitcomb Charlene Seward   Other Board Members Present: Cathy Solsaa, Jen Rondinone, Stephanie Stoodley

Also Present: Pam Reed, Superintendent Bianca McKeen, Assistant Superintendent Ted Plemenos, CFO

 

Call to Order

Commissioner Lennox-Levins called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.

 

Roll Call

As noted above.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Motion by Bossi/Lennox-Levins to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried.

 

Public Input

No members of the public were present.

 

Agenda Items

 

FY 2026 Outlook

CFO, Ted Plemenos, updated the Committee on the FY26 (current) budget outlook, including the financial implications of the finalized REA Professionals (teachers and nurses) contract as well as ideas to balance the impacts. Mr. Plemenos reviewed the historical 3.5% average (FY22-FY24) annual new money for the REA Professionals contract. He noted that about 3% is what was assumed for FY26 budgeting for several reasons: There was not yet a settled contract, historically it is what was being agreed upon, and it was aligned with salary benchmarking from competing school districts (using the most recent FY24 data). However, the agreed upon contracts included a 5.7% increase of new money for FY25 (last year), 5.8% for FY26 (this year), and 5.6% for FY27 (next year), which is a 3-year increase of 18.1% compounded.

 

Mr. Plemenos pointed out that contract metrics were based on a December 2024 snapshot of how many FTEs were employed, which is the basis for all the calculations. At that point in time, there were 273 FTEs. The approved salary budget was based on 271 FTEs. Since then natural attrition (retirements and resignations) has reduced the FTEs. This could help to partly offset the impacts of higher salary increases.

 

In response to a question from Commissioner Solsaa about whether increasing/decreasing staffing levels are correlated with student outcomes in reading and math, the conversation moved into strategic planning and data. Assistant Superintendent, Bianca McKeen, indicated that the correlation might have more to do with programming and training. She noted that this is what the District is focusing on with new initiatives such as the literacy committee that was formed last year and is working on aligning literacy programming, especially K-4. She indicated that it is essential that the District has the right staff in the right places. Superintendent, Pam Reed, added that the District is also working on ensuring that programs are implemented with fidelity.

 

Commissioners asked for reading and math data, and Superintendent Reed noted that benchmark data from the Spring 2025 FastBridge assessment will be presented at the September 9th Board meeting. Mrs. Reed reported that the District’s goal is to increase each cohort’s scores by 5%. There was a discussion around how the 5% goal was established. Mrs. Reed indicated that investing in professional development is necessary, and Mrs. McKeen added that the District needs to invest in specific professional development for the programs that are being used. Mrs. Reed noted that Mrs. McKeen has already started implementing this important work with UFLI training for K-4 teachers, which happened this past spring and continued this fall with staff who have been trained as trainers. Mrs. Reed also noted how evaluation and other programs are being tied to the District’s programming and training goals and expectations.

 

In response to a question from Commissioner Bossi, Mrs. McKeen explained that the Board will see high-level data on September 9th regarding what percentages of students fall in FastBridge risk levels (advanced, low risk, some risk, and high risk). She explained that the MTSS work that schools will be doing is where the data will be drilled into to find the specific skills each student needs help with. There was further discussion regarding how we place students in intervention groups to target these skills, and Mrs. McKeen noted that this is exactly what the District is working on implementing and what the MTSS Coordinator will help develop. Also mentioned was the data team/PLC training that happened during fall in-service, which will help teams look at data and develop intervention and core instruction plans. Mrs. Reed and Mrs. McKeen explained that this high-level graduation year cohort data will be shared with the Board over time so that they can see how students are progressing.

 

In response to a question from Commissioner Stoodley, there was discussion about how to fill learning gaps. Assistant Superintendent McKeen noted that RCPS is implementing some programs to help fill these gaps, like using the UFLI program K-4. Also noted was that there are some gaps to fill in teacher preparation. For example, secondary teachers are not generally taught how to teach students how to read (it is thought of as an elementary/foundational skill). Also, licensing rules are sometimes counterintuitive to filling gaps at the secondary level. For example, Interventionists at the secondary level need to have a secondary endorsement; however, someone with an elementary endorsement may be better able to fill reading gaps. Mrs. Reed noted that the third prong of the strategic plan talks about resources, and this conversation will be important to think about when budgeting for the upcoming year.

 

There was a brief discussion about developing in-house UPK programs, which would increase costs for staff, space, and resources. It was noted that this might be one of the benefits of Act 73 (e.g. some surrounding districts have UPK programs and there would potentially be more space to utilize).

 

Mr. Plemenos brought the conversation back to the FY26 outlook by adding that determining the right mix and balance of FTEs is a key part of Mrs. Reed’s and Mrs. McKeen’s jobs. They work with principals each year to determine the needs of the students.

 

The FY26 financial impacts were reviewed, as recapped in the attached charts, showing the approved salary budget for teachers and nurses. The business office is now looking for opportunities to reduce costs in order to rebalance the budget for FY26.

 

FY 2027 Budget Planning Assumptions

Mr. Plemenos reviewed the budget planning assumptions as the District moves into FY27 budgeting season, reminding the Committee that budgeting begins several months ahead of time with a goal of

having a budget that the Board is familiar with by December, so that in January the budget can be

approved.

 

An overview of key factors with salaries and benefits (80% of total budget) includes that contracts are set for all groups of represented employees per the attached charts. Other assumptions for salaries and benefits include non-aligned salary increases set by the Board (3.1% average over the last 5 years), employer-paid city pension contribution percentages, and medical costs. Mr. Plemenos explained factors that could change include the LTWADM and the annual yield, each calculated and set by the State annually.

 

Mr. Plemenos reviewed FY27 revenue and other key assumptions, including the uncertainty of federal title grant and Medicaid funding. He noted that updated tuition fees and revenues will be presented to the Board in December this year. It was noted that general inflation has remained in a range of 2% to 3% for the past year. The District-wide phone upgrade project is ongoing and will be included in the FY27 budget. He explained that with known cost increases, total expenses are likely to increase by 5% or more with steady staffing levels, unless savings are identified.

 

Act 73 Update

Mr. Plemenos noted that Superintendent, Pam Reed, reviewed the latest information on Act 73 at the last School Board meeting. He reviewed the budgeting timelines and milestones with the Committee as noted on the attached charts. For FY27 and FY28 there will be no change in annual budgeting, school funding, or homestead tax rate calculation or categories of taxes or credits. For the next two years, budgeting will remain the same as usual. Mr. Plemenos highlighted several important milestones, which can be seen in the attached presentation.

 

Next Meeting

The next Finance and Strategic Planning Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, 2025 from 6:00-7:00 pm.

 

Adjournment

Motion by Lennox-Levins/Solsaa to adjourn at 7:27 pm. Motion carried.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Bethany Sprague

Board Recording Secretary