Focus Group - Minutes - 2026.08.10

 

 

 

Agenda Review – No Changes

 

Data Reviewed

• Supplementary Schedules and Extended Contracts presented.
• Current Enrollment numbers

 

The committee discussed actions that need to be considered and expensed.

• Actively search for reduction in the 26-25 school year recognizing these reductions will not occur with salaried personnel.
• Reduce administrative costs for 26-27.
• Activity routes require a minimum number of students to operate.
• EBF should actively search for sharing opportunities for all positions.  Especially administrative and director positions.
• Review vehicle allocation to employees of the school district.
• Commit to 3 sections or less for grades PK-6.
• Restrict the minimum number in a section.
• Need a presentation on the employee allocation and district costs if one central elementary is created.  Review all positions from administrative, teachers, and classified.
• Reviewing the presentation of staffing from school districts of similar size the EBF school district must commit to creating a staff size that is more in line with the data from the survey.  35 positions supporting K-6 certified classroom positions.
• Need a presentation on the employee allocation and district costs if one location is used for each grade level for grades PK-6.  Review all positions from administrative, teachers, and classified.
• Create a financial forecast if these reductions occur.
• If you centralize to one building, where do all the adults who do not have classrooms, but are using classroom space as office space reside?  In one of the other buildings?
• Discussion of the cost to build classrooms and the SAVE funding will decrease by 30% by 2031 with legislation that was passed in the spring of 2026.  EBF SAVE funding will also decrease because it is based on resident enrollment, not students served.  When does the open enrollment into the EBF district create stress on the taxpayers of EBF who pay property taxes through PPEL or if a bond is enacted to maintain or expand facilities.
• Strong recognition from the group a bond has no real support by community members in Fremont and Blakesburg if their buildings are closed to build structure to centralize the elementary.
• Committee members noted that, “The ability to impact all students efficiently,” is an important thought as they speak about all solutions when ranking solutions.
• Can a community de-consolidate from EBF and create their own school district for their community?  Did Baxter just do this, or did they discontinue a 28E sharing agreement?  Need to find out.
• The Blakesburg land Trust agreement: This should be on file with the Wapello County Recorder.  Need to follow up.

 

 

 

 

Scott Williamson

Superintendent Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont CSD