October 12, 2026 Board Work Session

The October 12, 2026 Saint Joseph Schools Board Work Session reviewed a 10-year enrollment forecast and long-range facilities planning. Demographic Analytics Advisors projected enrollment declining from just over 9,300 students to about 8,560 by 2036–37, with substantial uncertainty, and estimated roughly 1,800 unused middle-school seats districtwide. DLR Group reported that facility assessments are being updated and summarized stakeholder input on student-centered, equitable, and future-ready spaces. These presentations informed discussion of facility use and possible school-space decisions, but no closure or construction decision was made. The district also reported a projected $2.5 million operating deficit, down from $3.6 million in June, and discussed a possible $5.2 million reduction for next year and $9–10 million in reductions over two years. A tax-levy transfer was discussed as a possible April ballot measure: shifting 15 cents from debt service to operations could provide just over $2 million annually without increasing the overall levy, but would affect future borrowing capacity. No vote to pursue the measure was taken.

Procurement and spending items included an update to the elevator chair-lift service agreement using state cooperative pricing; a Benton High School classroom-renovation project nearing closeout, with final payment to Lear expected at the end of October; and surplus equipment, including about 1,900 iPads, to be sent to a recycler for payment based on assessed resale or parts value. The board also discussed a $1,000 early-retirement notification incentive and a no-cost Walden University student-observation partnership. The transcript does not indicate a procurement award vote or specific approval of these items at this session.