Trustee Casey Cook recently introduced a motion calling for the board of education to endorse a set of "guiding principles" for dealing with last year's $2.8 million shortfall, which passed unanimously, despite his suggestion that it may require a discussion.
"I understand there may be different thoughts on this," he said at the Oct. 26 board meeting.
But the board agreed with Cook's guiding principles and there was little discussion or disagreement on the motion. After the vote, board chair James Janzen said to Cook, "It's not as controversial as you may have thought.
"I think it's a very good idea to have a set of guiding principles," Janzen said.
The guiding principles include a plan to eliminate the deficit in a sustainable and manageable way, maintain safety and student learning, maximize efficiencies in the district, examine operations in the district and increase revenues where appropriate, and be a fair and responsible employer.
One of the principles addresses recent criticism that the district needs to do a better job communicating. It calls for the district to "consult effectively with all education stakeholders, with accountability and transparency."
