St. Joseph School District Minutes

Board Committee Meeting - 9/17/2026 - Academics/CSIP Committee Meeting

9/15/2026

No Attendees

Call to Order
Stacia Studer, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Educational Services, called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm.
Items for Discussion

Welcome, Introductions, Purpose, and Norms
Stacia Studer, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Educational Services, welcomed everyone and led introductions. She reviewed the purpose of the District Academic/CSIP Committee and the professional commitments for the year.
Review CSIP/2026-2027 Academic Department Plan
Stacia Studer, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Educational Services, reviewed the CSIP goals and the Academic Department's focus on increasing college and career pathway opportunities for students.
Building College & Career Pathways in the Saint Joseph School District
Dr. Kati Reid, Director of Secondary Education, led a discussion and activity regarding the current high school course selection process and the development of college and career pathways. The committee reviewed examples of pathway models and discussed how pathways could help students make more informed course selections and provide real world learning opportunities. Committee members completed a 3-2-1 activity to provide feedback that will help guide the district's work in redesigning the high school course catalog.

Adjournment
Stacia Studer, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Educational Services, adjourned the meeting at 4:00 pm.

Geana R. Bush, Board Secretary

9/11/2026

No Attendees

Call to Order
Dr. Robert Hedgecorth, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm.
Items Under Discussion

Dr. Robert Hedgecorth, Asst. Superintendent Business/Operations, Welcome/Introductions
Committee Norms
5-Year Budget Forecast
New Budget Format
Welcome and Introductions
Dr. Robert Hedgecorth, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, led introductions and thanked everyone for taking the time to serve on the committee. He discussed the roles of the Finance Committee, including advisory, planning, and oversight, as well as the BOE Finance Committee priorities.
Year in Review
Dr. Robert Hedgecorth, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, reviewed the 2025-2026 Finance Committee milestones, including the District's 10.02% Operating Fund Balance, the budget reduction process, revisions to the Citizen's Guide, and the budget document redesign. He also provided an update on the District's current financial position. Committee discussion included operating efficiencies, employee compensation, transportation costs, staffing ratios, and reserve levels.
Tax Levy Planning
Dr. Robert Hedgecorth, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, reviewed the District’s current tax levy and discussed the option of a tax levy transfer, which would move a portion of the levy from debt service to the operating fund without changing the overall tax rate. Committee discussion included the potential use of funds for employee compensation and benefits and the possibility of presenting a tax levy transfer to the Board for consideration for an April ballot question.

Adjournment
Dr. Robert Hedgecorth, Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations, adjourned the meeting at 4:10 pm.

Geana R. Bush, Board Secretary

8/13/2026

No Attendees

Call to Order
Stacia Studer, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Education Services, called the meeting to order at 11:00 am.
Items for Discussion
Stacia Studer, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Education Services, welcomed everyone.

Adjournment
Stacia Studer, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Education Services, adjourned the meeting at 11:35 am.

Rebecca Dunn, Board Secretary

5/8/2026

No Attendees

Call to Order
Dr. Robert Hedgecorth, Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations, called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm.
Items Under Discussion

Dr. Robert Hedgecorth, Asst. Superintendent Business/Operations, Welcome/Introductions
Dr. Robert Hedgecorth, Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations, welcomed everyone.

Citizen's Guide - Katie Kneib
Benton High School Classroom Renovations - Dr. Hedgecorth
5-Year Budget Forecast
Dr. Robert Hedgecorth, Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations, presented the five-year budget forecast. There are still a lot of State Bills floating around that could affect our property taxes.
New Budget Format
Dr. Robert Hedgecorth, Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations, presented the new budget format, telling the attendees what he handed out was just a format; the numbers in the document are not real numbers. They will be working on this over the next month to get the numbers updated so they can be presented to the board of education.

Adjournment
Dr. Robert Hedgecorth, Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations, adjourned the meeting at 3:55 pm.

Donna Baker, Board Secretary