The board voted unanimously to accept donations totaling $28,869 for the 2024-2025 school year. According to the district's Director of Finance, the gifts included snow pants, funds for show choir, teacher dinners at John Glenn Elementary, and support for community programs like Meals on Wheels at Gladstone. The resolution formally authorizes the district to use each donation according to the donor's wishes.

In other business, the board discussed but did not yet vote on a major construction project at Cowern Elementary School. The district is considering using leftover funds from a 2019 voter-approved bond, along with project savings and investment interest, to expand and renovate the school. The estimated cost would be up to $24.6 million from existing school building bonds and up to $16.5 million from future maintenance funds.

According to the Director of Operations, Cowern was selected because its site can accommodate expansion, and the project would help balance enrollment across three elementary schools with dual language programs: Cowern, Richardson, and Castle. The renovation would convert Cowern into a four-section school with approximately 600 students, which district officials say would be more efficient for staffing, resources, and transportation. The conceptual plan includes a two-story addition, parking expansion, playground relocation, and kitchen expansion, with construction scheduled from summer 2025 through 2027.

The board also heard updates on the district's budget challenges. The superintendent reported a projected shortfall of $7 million to $9 million for fiscal year 2026, driven by a gap between state funding and inflation. A particular concern is a potential $4.5 million reduction in compensatory revenue due to changes in how the state counts low-income students. The district is considering asking voters to approve an operating referendum in the fall to address the shortfall.

Public commenters raised concerns about a new federal executive order potentially affecting diversity and inclusion programs, and advocated for stricter cell phone policies in schools. High school principals also presented updates on their strategic plans, highlighting progress on reducing chronic absenteeism and expanding student programs.