At the school board work session on June 5, the school board Vice President Tourtellotte-Palumbo requested a budget outlining school closures in the 2026/27 school year. The meeting was focused on staffing allocations as they relate to the budget. Director Huffman pointed out that legislative wins were not enough to help with continuing inflation, and President Clifthorne insisted on seeing a budget with an ending fund balance (EFB) totaling a month of OSD payroll, rather than the legal threshold of 3% ($5.6m). The cabinet in central administration has take home pay totaling over $2.3m and is poised to receive a 3% increase in their salaries, while schools continue to suffer the effects of fractionalized staff and services. Discussion of the EFB was after Vice President Tourtellotte-Palumbo asked for a budget with 2026/27 school closure(s) included and read a statement from Director Seidel (not in attendance) with a similar sentiment. Enrollment projections have continued to fluctuate, and the board, including outgoing directors Clifthorne and Huffman have rewritten policy to close a school in 10 days.
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