The Kiona-Benton City School District Board of Directors held a special board meeting on July 29, 2024, focused primarily on district business requiring board action before the start of the 2024-25 school year. The meeting agenda included budget matters, staffing approvals, financial approvals, and a public hearing related to district finances.
One of the most significant items was the review and approval process for the district’s 2024-25 budget and a proposed extension of the 2023-24 budget. District officials presented these financial matters through a public hearing and proposed resolutions. The board considered Resolution 4-2024 for the 2023-24 budget extension and Resolution 5-2024 for the 2024-25 budget.
The meeting also addressed staffing needs ahead of the new school year. The board considered approval of several new hires, including elementary, middle school, high school, special education, and preschool positions. These staffing decisions affect classroom readiness and instructional capacity across district programs.
Financial approvals were another major portion of the meeting. The proposed consent agenda included multiple voucher payments totaling several million dollars across payroll, transportation, technology, curriculum, maintenance, utilities, services, reimbursements, and other district operations. The board was also asked to approve district financial reports.
The meeting included opportunities for public comments, board comments, a superintendent’s report, and an executive session regarding the performance of a public employee under Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act.
Major Discussion and Action Items
2024-25 Budget Approval and 2023-24 Budget Extension
The board reviewed major budget decisions for the district’s current and upcoming fiscal operations. The agenda included a public hearing on the 2024-25 budget and a 2023-24 budget extension update presented by Drew Raab.
The board considered two formal resolutions: Resolution 4-2024 regarding the 2023-24 budget extension and Resolution 5-2024 approving the 2024-25 budget. These actions are intended to provide the district with the financial authority needed to continue operations and plan for the upcoming school year.
The budget process affects all district programs, including staffing, classroom resources, transportation, maintenance, technology, and student services. Community members interested in district priorities may want to review how available funding is allocated among these areas.
Staffing Approvals and New Hires
The board considered approval of several new employees as part of the consent agenda. The proposed hires included:
- Mindy Lystrup, elementary school first grade teacher
- Keithon Flemming, conditional high school English teacher (.6 FTE)
- Stephanie Hogan, conditional middle school CTE Technology Education teacher
- Sam Morrow, special education high school teacher
- Maria Olivera, ECEAP preschool teacher (bilingual)
These positions represent staffing needs across multiple grade levels and programs. The hires support instructional services, specialized student support, career and technical education, and early childhood programming.
The board also considered approval of the resignation/separation of Victoria Longmeier, an elementary school paraeducator.
Financial Voucher Approvals and District Spending
The board reviewed multiple voucher items covering district expenditures. The listed payments addressed a wide range of operational needs, including payroll, transportation, technology, curriculum, maintenance, utilities, internet licensing, employee reimbursements, and other services.
Major voucher totals included:
- Voucher #1102 for PUD, IT supplies, ESD services, PSD services, and curriculum: $126,703.77
- Voucher #1103 for bus and ASB expenses: $170,617.14
- Voucher #1104 for maintenance supplies, classroom supplies, utilities, internet license, and CBC: $145,351.82
- Voucher #1105 for ECEAP playground and cheer camp expenses: $11,835.44
- Voucher #1106 payroll: $1,433,444.55
- Voucher #1107 payroll: $279,769.82
- Voucher #1108 for curriculum, maintenance services, fuel, ESD, and scholarship GCU: $35,692.80
- Voucher #1109 employee/account reimbursement: $1,960.36
- Voucher #1110 use tax: $1,619.12
The board was also asked to approve district financial reports. These approvals provide oversight of routine district spending and financial activity.
The meeting agenda included a public comment period allowing participation in person, through prior written comments, or electronically. Written or electronic comments were requested before 6:00 P.M. on July 29, 2024.
Public comment opportunities allow residents, families, employees, and community members to provide feedback on district decisions, including budget priorities, staffing, and operational matters.
Superintendent’s Report and Board Updates
The agenda included time for board comments and a superintendent’s report. The packet does not provide detailed written information about the contents of these updates.
These agenda sections typically provide district leadership with an opportunity to share operational updates, recognize accomplishments, discuss upcoming priorities, and communicate information not requiring formal board action.
Financial Matters
The meeting contained several significant financial items. The board reviewed the 2024-25 district budget, considered an extension of the 2023-24 budget, and reviewed financial reports.
The board also considered voucher approvals totaling approximately $2.2 million across payroll and operational expenses. The largest listed expenses were payroll vouchers:
- Voucher #1106: $1,433,444.55
- Voucher #1107: $279,769.82
Other spending supported technology, curriculum, transportation, maintenance, utilities, educational services, preschool programming, and employee reimbursements.
The budget resolutions presented by Drew Raab represented the district’s formal process for approving financial authority for ongoing operations.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The primary governance actions were Resolution 4-2024 and Resolution 5-2024.
Resolution 4-2024 addressed a 2023-24 budget extension, while Resolution 5-2024 addressed approval of the 2024-25 budget. These resolutions represent formal board actions related to district financial governance.
The board also scheduled an executive session under RCW 42.30.110, Section (1)(g), regarding performance of a public employee. The agenda stated that no business would follow the executive session.
The meeting included a budget update from Drew Raab, a superintendent’s report, and financial information presented through the consent agenda.
The available packet does not include detailed written summaries of the superintendent’s report or additional presentation materials. Based on the agenda, these items provided district leadership updates and financial information for board review.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
Personnel matters focused on preparing staffing for the upcoming school year.
The board considered approval of five new hires serving elementary education, high school English, middle school career and technical education, high school special education, and bilingual preschool programming.
The board also considered approval of one elementary school paraeducator separation.
These decisions affect classroom staffing levels, student support services, and district readiness for the 2024-25 academic year.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
The packet does not identify major construction, capital improvement, transportation projects, or infrastructure initiatives for this meeting.
Operational spending included maintenance supplies, utilities, technology-related purchases, internet licensing, fuel, transportation expenses, and educational services. These expenses support ongoing district operations and school readiness.
A public hearing was scheduled regarding the 2024-25 budget and the 2023-24 budget extension update.
The meeting also provided a public comment opportunity. Community members could participate in person, submit written comments, or provide electronic comments before the stated deadline of 6:00 P.M. on July 29, 2024.
The meeting decisions have several direct effects on the Kiona-Benton City School District community.
- Students and families may be affected by staffing decisions that determine classroom instruction, special education support, preschool services, and career-focused courses.
- Employees may be affected by hiring decisions, payroll approvals, and district budget decisions.
- Taxpayers and residents may be interested in how the district allocates funding through the annual budget process.
- Community members may use public hearings and comment opportunities to provide feedback on district financial priorities.
- District operations depend on approved funding for transportation, technology, curriculum, maintenance, and educational services.
The most immediate community effects involve ensuring staffing and financial resources are in place for the 2024-25 school year.
- What are the district’s highest priorities in the approved 2024-25 budget?
- What programs or services are supported by the budget extension for 2023-24?
- How do the approved staffing positions address student and classroom needs?
- What factors influenced the district’s budget recommendations?
- How will the district monitor spending throughout the 2024-25 fiscal year?
- Are additional staffing needs expected after the start of the school year?
- How will community feedback from the budget hearing be considered?
- What outcomes does the district expect from the new hires approved for the school year?
- How frequently will the board review financial performance against the approved budget?
- What future decisions may result from the budget approval process?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- July 29, 2024: Special Board Meeting held at 6:30 P.M. at 1205 Horne Drive, Benton City, Washington.
- July 29, 2024: Public comments were accepted before 6:00 P.M.
- July 29, 2024: Public hearing held regarding the 2024-25 budget and 2023-24 budget extension.
- July 29, 2024: Board considered Resolution 4-2024 and Resolution 5-2024.
- 2024-25 School Year: Approved staffing and budget decisions support district operations beginning with the new academic year.
Key Takeaways
- Kiona-Benton City School District held a special board meeting on July 29, 2024.
- The meeting focused heavily on budget approval and financial planning.
- The board reviewed a 2023-24 budget extension and the 2024-25 budget.
- Resolution 4-2024 addressed the budget extension.
- Resolution 5-2024 addressed approval of the 2024-25 budget.
- The board considered several new hires across elementary, secondary, special education, CTE, and preschool programs.
- Multiple vouchers totaling more than $2 million were presented for approval.
- Payroll expenses represented the largest listed financial items.
- Community members had an opportunity to provide public comments.
- The board also held an executive session regarding employee performance under RCW 42.30.110.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Kiona-Benton City School District
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Benton City, washington
- County: Benton
- Provider: wordpress-documents
Keywords
Kiona-Benton City School District, KIBESD, Benton City, Washington school board, special board meeting, July 29 2024 meeting, 2024-25 budget, 2023-24 budget extension, Resolution 4-2024, Resolution 5-2024, school district finance, education budget, public hearing, new hires, teacher staffing, special education teacher, CTE technology education, ECEAP preschool, payroll, vouchers, district operations, superintendent report, school governance, community comments, Benton County schools
