Tuesday, June 2, 2026

The Reed Union School District board held a budget-focused June meeting that paired a public hearing on the proposed 2026–27 budget with a wide-ranging review of the district's strategic plan, draft guidelines for artificial intelligence, and annual approval of its expanded-learning program. Several items were teed up for final action at the following meeting rather than decided that night.

Strategic Plan Review

Staff led a review of the district's strategic plan, which trustees described as a roughly 52-page "living document" referenced at every board meeting and linked to about ten separate metrics documents. Much of the board's discussion centered on curriculum implementation. Trustees raised a recurring concern that asking teachers to absorb too many new curricula at once risks burnout and undercuts the benefit of the new materials. They pointed to a math pilot from two years earlier and the decision not to retain a dedicated math department, and asked how the district can sustain strategic leadership in literacy and English language arts. Board members emphasized being deliberate so that every student reaches at least a basic level of mastery, and stressed that part of the board's job is to keep asking whether the pace of change is "too much."

Artificial Intelligence Guidelines

Staff presented the work of the district's AI effort, describing a diverse group of community stakeholders who helped shape draft guidelines. Recurring themes included preserving human connection, keeping policies, professional development, and tools current with the rapid pace of change, and tracking data on whether the tools are actually useful. Staff described student-use frameworks under consideration — a "stoplight" approach for younger grades and a zero-to-five scale for upper grades — and stressed the need to pilot these in real classrooms before adopting them. At a trustee's request, language on preserving "original thought, mental space, and critical thinking" for students and teachers will be added before the guidelines return for a second reading.

Budget and Compensation Assumptions

The board reviewed key assumptions in the proposed 2026–27 budget. Staff explained that both certificated and classified employees would receive step-and-column movement on the salary schedule, plus a 3% increase for represented employees and 2.5% for non-represented staff. Non-represented staff were clarified to include district administration such as principals, IT, maintenance and operations, and the chief business official. On facilities spending, staff said maintenance and operations services account for roughly $230,000 and related supplies about $280,000, and explained that directing about 3% of an operating budget toward maintenance and operations is a state benchmark used to gauge whether districts are investing adequately in their facilities — a standard the district was reported to be meeting. On one cost estimate, trustees said the figure appeared reasonable for a district of Reed's size but agreed more work was warranted before authorizing a final "prudent" dollar amount, deferring that decision.

Expanded Learning and Board Policies

Staff recommended the board's annual approval of the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) plan so the district can continue receiving state funding for student enrichment, crediting a partnership with the Ranch for helping secure the funding. The board also handled a first reading of board policies, agreeing to move them to a second reading with the suggested adjustments. Staff noted the policies would return for second reading at the next meeting to avoid pushing final adoption into August.

Public Hearing

The meeting included a public hearing on the proposed 2026–27 Reed Union School District budget, and the board took up review of the district's technology plan.