Regular Board Meeting - 10.12.26

Regular meeting of the Othello School District Board, October 13, 2026. The board discussed a proposed capital levy for the February 9, 2027 special election, but took no vote on the levy. Staff requested direction to continue preparing the resolution and ballot language for possible board action at a future meeting. The proposal would collect up to six years, beginning in 2028, at an estimated rate of $0.97 per $1,000 of assessed value—intended to keep the tax rate flat—and could raise approximately $18 million. The district said it would stop collecting the levy if voters later approve a bond. Proposed priorities are replacing the food-service warehouse, adding gym space at Haywa, Ludakaga, and Scutney schools, and building-preservation work such as roofs. Final project costs and feasibility remain to be studied; the district expects to return with a resolution in November and file it in December. No contract awards or vendor selections were identified.

The board approved the consent agenda and early accounts-payable warrants by motion; the warrants passed 3–0 with one abstention. The athletics presentation mentioned ending a publisher contract that returned 17% to the district and developing a district-run community partnership program to support athletics, but no related spending decision was made. The meeting also covered facilities planning, school programs, athletics, and academic initiatives. The board recessed to executive session to discuss a public employee’s performance, with no action planned afterward.