Focus Group - Minutes - 2026.05.11

 

 

 

Agenda Review – No Changes

 

Create Schedule:

• Date: 2^nd Monday of each Month
• Time: 6:30 pm
• Location: EBF Board Offices (222 Walnut Street, Eddyville)

Open Meetings Training:

• Discussion determined that the training would be done as a group in one evening.  Those that are unable to attend the Open Meetings Training would complete the training online.  The EBF school district will pay for the training’s cost.

Operating Procedures & Ethics

• Mr. Glenn stated that the process will include difficult conversations and believes the committee members will be able to hold professional discussions around these difficult topics.

Expanded discussion Procedures & Ethics Purpose:

• Scott Williamson identified the purpose of the committee is to provide recommendations for the EBF PK-12 structure regarding education, extracurricular and co-curricular activities, and administration to the EBF Board of Directors. 

 

The review is due to declining enrollment’s direct effect on the reduction of EBF financial resources. Emphasis will be on all aspects of the EBF school district which include:

• • Employe structure from the Superintendent – Certified Staff – Classified Staff
  • Operational Sharing between school districts
  • Reviewing all supplemental schedules and extended day contracts
  • Administration and Director structures
  • Bus Routes
  • Extra-Curricular Activities
  • 3^rd Party Vendor contracts
  • Emphasis on the entire educational programming structure at EBF

Overview of the current enrollment and finance - Enrollment History and Forecast

• Mr. Williamson provided historical enrollment information along with forecasted enrollment information.  A handout was provided and is attached to the minutes.  The forecast enrollment showed the disparity between the next four graduating class sizes starting in 2027 which is between 70 and 80 students and incoming classes in the preschool and kindergarten that are between 33 and 40 students.  This represents a significant loss of students over that period.

 

Mr. Williamson also stated the district currently has a strong foundation fiscally, but the strength will diminish without significant change occurring in the school district.  If we continue to operate with the same infrastructure for multiple years the cash balance and Unspent Authority Balance (UAB) will decrease quickly.  The EBF school district is operating at a deficit this year knowing that the UAB and cash balance can absorb the deficit spending.  EBF will need to stabilize the UAB and cash balances in the next few years with reductions in expenses.

 

An overview of the 5-year history of revenues and expenditures was presented.  More details will occur as the committee progresses.

 

What data do you want to review?

• Below is list of items the Focus Group Committee would like to see moving forward.
  
  • A list of items that are considered “Low Hanging Fruit,” an easily reduce expenditure.  Mr. Williamson will provide a list of items.
  • Number of students served at each attendance center
  • The capacity of each attendance center
  • The cost of each attendance per student – Mr. Williamson stated this would be done based upon the building expenditures only.  District overhead costs would not be included.  Examples of district costs include the following: board office personnel, district directors for transportation and maintenance, bus drivers, gas for transportation, and special education.
  • Teacher Leadership funding
  • Research on the class sizes for elementary and secondary students