School Board Meeting - Feb. 17, 2026
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
High school theater department safety video recognition
Approval of board meeting agenda
Superintendent update on $5M budget shortfall
Board consent agenda approval
Sale of general obligation school building and facilities maintenance bonds
Moody's rating agency credit opinion review
Areas of Interest (5)
- District faces a $5 million budget shortfall for the third consecutive year, forcing spending cuts.
- Bond sale success: District secured a 3.8% interest rate, resulting in $6.8 million in savings compared to pre-election estimates.
- Stillwater High School theater students partnered with the I Love You Guys Foundation to produce a professional-grade safety video now used worldwide.
- Moody's rating agency issued a credit report highlighting district fund balance and fiscal challenges.
- Consolidation of standard response protocols (SRP) across Washington County districts driven by student-led safety video.
Votes (3)
Approval of tonight's agenda
Moved by Chair Sherman · Seconded by Director Theelander
Approval of consent agenda items A through E
Moved by Director Hawker · Seconded by Director Lowour
Awarding the sale of general obligation school building and facility maintenance bonds
Moved by Chair Sherman · Seconded by Director Theelander
Notable Quotes (2)
We are facing o over a $5 million shortfall and this will be the third year in a row we've had to reduce spending.
The true interest cost rate overall for the issue is a 3.80 and we had estimated 4.4% a month ago.
People (4)
Cararissa KesterDistrict RepresentativeIntroduced the high school theater department and their participation in the I Love You Guys Foundation safety video.
Introduced the high school theater department and their participation in the I Love You Guys Foundation safety video.
Dr. FunkSuperintendentProvided budget shortfall update and acknowledged the safety video production team.
1 quote
Provided budget shortfall update and acknowledged the safety video production team.
“We are facing o over a $5 million shortfall and this will be the third year in a row we've had to reduce spending.”
Addressing the fiscal challenges facing the school district.
Jody ZazbaConsultant (Ellers)Presented the results of the bond sale, noting interest rates lower than projected.
Presented the results of the bond sale, noting interest rates lower than projected.
MilesStudent (Junior)Participated in the safety video; expressed enthusiasm for the project.
1 quote
Participated in the safety video; expressed enthusiasm for the project.
“I just have to say actually ever since I was a child and I first saw the safety video, I'd actually always dreamed of being [in one].”
Expressing his excitement about acting in the professional-grade safety video.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (2)
- Bond sale closing date: March 12th
- School bond election date: November 7th, 2023
Ordinances & Resolutions (1)
Resolution to issue $90,335,000 in bonds at a 3.8% true interest cost to fund building projects and facilities maintenance.