Princeton School Board briefs: meeting May 21

The Princeton School Board conducted the following business during the meeting on Tuesday, May 21. Written by Chloe Smith.

Student showcase

The Princeton School Board recognized a large group of students with the board’s Spring Commendations. The recognition celebrates students in activities and major learning achievements for their success and representation of Princeton School District. The two groups of students recognized were three students that achieved bilingual status through the district’s Spanish programs. The second group were all of the students in the Princeton archery program that attended the state tournament this year.

Venture Upwards

The Princeton School Board listened to a presentation from Venture Upwards related to a potential partnership with the company to expand the district’s online education program to kindergarten through eighth grade students. Venture Upwards partners with schools throughout the nation to provide customized online learning opportunities to all students in grades K-8. The company provides districts with comprehensive program implementation, curriculum that meets state standards and matches what currently exists in the district, and provides the recruitment for the district. The presentation acted as an introduction of the company to the school board for the board members to consider. The board did not take any action related to the partnership. If a partnership is approved and developed, the program is estimated to go into effect in the fall.

Land discussion

Workhouse Land Development opened a discussion with the Princeton School Board to provide information on a potential development they are looking to pursue on the district-owned land located behind the Princeton Primary and Intermediate Schools. The developers provided details on how they would access the easement to the property – an issue the board has had with other potential buyers due to the utilities needing to run through school parking lots and sports fields. The developers told the board they plan to use an underground GPS tool to place the utilities to prevent tearing up school property if they are able to purchase and develop the land. The developers hope to build 120 residential units on the property if the purchase is approved. The board did not take any action related to the sale of the property, but appeared open to the sale and development.

2024-2025 budget

Princeton School District’s Director of Business Services Michelle Czech provided the school board with an overview of the 2024-205 budget which will be up for approval in the board’s June meeting. Czech provided documents for each section of the district’s budget for the board to review. According to Czech, the district’s assigned budget is fairly similar to the past, and the restricted budget saw some minor changes compared to the last time the board reviewed it. Czech then said that the unassigned budget is expected to have an estimated $1.6 million variance or shortfall which the district has been expecting since the fall. However, Czech said it was less than originally projected. The last budget items reviewed were some minor staffing changes. All of the budget details are available for viewing on the Princeton School Board website at https://www.isd477.org/district/school-board under the May 21 meeting agenda.

Class size guidelines

The Princeton School Board approved an increase to class sizes for kindergarten through fifth grade classes. The increases are as follows: Kindergarten will see an increase of 21 students to 22 students maximum, first grade will be increased to 24 students maximum from 23 students, second and third grade will increase from 25 students maximum to 26 students, and fourth and fifth grade will increase from 27 students maximum to 29 students. The middle and high school class sizes remain the same with a maximum of 30 students.