Centennial School District — Transcript
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Community Concerns on Critical Thinking and Misinformation
School Board Conduct, Leadership, and Budget Responsibility
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Adoption
Future Financial Planning and Budget Strategy
Smoking Policy on School Property
Votes (3)
Adoption of Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Dissent: Mrs. Lynch, Mrs. Crossson, Mr. Saddowski, Mr. Martin (voted against 3.75% amendment and the final 3.75% budget).
Moved by Unknown [No Timestamp] (to amend) · Seconded by Mr. Ghart [No Timestamp] (to amend)
The board deliberated on the final budget, initially proposed with a 4% tax increase. An amendment to reduce the increase to 3.75% was introduced, leading to a heated discussion about the impact on the district's deficit and reserves. Board members voiced strong opinions on fiscal responsibility, past spending, and the personal dynamics affecting the vote. The Board President defended her role and criticized members who withheld votes for personal reasons, while other members highlighted alleged hypocrisy and past incivility. Ultimately, the amended 3.75% budget was passed, averting potential legal intervention.
Adoption of Capital Fund 32, Debt Service Fund 40, and Food Service Fund 50 Budgets
Dissent: None.
Moved by Board President [No Timestamp] · Seconded by Mr. Hardline [No Timestamp]
This item involved the adoption of separate budgets for capital projects, debt service, and food services. It was presented as a necessary component following the approval of the general fund budget. Discussion was brief, primarily confirming its connection to the overall budget.
Motion for a Three-Year Budget Proposal Outline
Dissent: None, as the motion was not voted upon for its content.
Moved by Mr. Hartline [No Timestamp] · Seconded by Mr. Saddowski [No Timestamp]
Mr. Hartline proposed a motion requiring the administration to develop a three-year budget proposal outline by October 2025 to achieve a balanced budget. The motion was seconded but subsequently ruled out of order as it was not on the current meeting's agenda. The board agreed to add it to the agenda for a future meeting (August 19th). Mrs. Lynch additionally suggested the finance committee provide independent input for planning.
Notable Quotes (10)
Nowhere does it say that the budget is my responsibility alone.
One board member had the audacity to say that although they want the 4%, they won't vote for it to spite me because they don't like me. Isn't that right, Mr. Martin?
So you want to not join a school board. It's quite a hypocrite that you say somebody said something to you in the parking lot, but then right after a school board meeting, you didn't share that with the community. You told me to go f myself.
This increases the deficit. So people will think you might be getting a bargain. You're only getting more in debt. ... What are we leaving future boards? What are we leaving our residents and what are we going to do to our students?
I believe we can do better, but we were at a stage where children and staff and ultimately the community would have been harmed if we didn't pass a budget. So, um, so I had to vote yes and I have to live with that.
Yes, I did want to go to court. ...mainly because I knew that the judges would force us into a budget. And I know none of you, aside from the lady with the pink hat, remember the strike at Centennial. And remember, Judge Garb, which most of you have no idea who he is, took the school board and put them in the holding cell and said, 'You'll get out and you get a contract.'
Since we've adopted a budget, this is part of the budget. Yes.
I'd like to add one more motion. This is the one that I had discussed at the last meeting that I would like to add a motion that by the October 2025 meeting of the whole administration have an outline for a three-year budget proposal to balance our budget with with concepts and ideas being brought forward that this board can take to have a balanced budget within the next three years. hopefully sooner than that.
There are some it used to be that you could have a majority vote to add something that this substantial there's been case law that's come out that restricts that now. ... my recommendation would be to add this to the agenda for the next meeting.
I would like to suggest that the finance committee come back to the board with their suggestions to be incorporated in with the administration's suggestions periodically and not let everything go until June.
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
State-mandated form for submitting the school district's final budget
Mentioned in passing regarding a past incident where it 'didn't go through'