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I still don’t understand why! Noted tho: Other districts we are compared to do opt-in bussing, have longer walk zones (eg 1.5 mile for elem, we do 1 mile), and option school bussing for a fee. Not saying these are things we should so, but let’s be clear what our peer districts do when we compare.
January 29, 2026 at 4:52 PM
I still don’t understand why! Noted tho: Other districts we are compared to do opt-in bussing, have longer walk zones (eg 1.5 mile for elem, we do 1 mile), and option school bussing for a fee. Not saying these are things we should so, but let’s be clear what our peer districts do when we compare.
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Comparison is helpful but total amount is important to note. So we’re spending more compared to others on SEL, but how much are we actually spending overall?
January 29, 2026 at 3:56 AM
Comparison is helpful but total amount is important to note. So we’re spending more compared to others on SEL, but how much are we actually spending overall?
The end of the meeting is scheduled for right now, so President Topp suggests that they take questions on this presentation at the next board meeting, which is next Wednesday February 4. And new Superintendent Shuldiner will be there! Meeting adjourned.
January 29, 2026 at 3:35 AM
The end of the meeting is scheduled for right now, so President Topp suggests that they take questions on this presentation at the next board meeting, which is next Wednesday February 4. And new Superintendent Shuldiner will be there! Meeting adjourned.
Next steps on the budget development. (Also, the arrival of the new superintendent this Monday!)
January 29, 2026 at 3:32 AM
Next steps on the budget development. (Also, the arrival of the new superintendent this Monday!)
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I believe CAI is Curriculum and Instruction
January 29, 2026 at 3:28 AM
I believe CAI is Curriculum and Instruction
Assistant Superintendent of Technology and Optimization Carlos Del Valle goes over Technology Efficiencies. No dollar amount attached.
January 29, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Assistant Superintendent of Technology and Optimization Carlos Del Valle goes over Technology Efficiencies. No dollar amount attached.
They're not considering eliminating bussing for option school students.
January 29, 2026 at 3:27 AM
They're not considering eliminating bussing for option school students.
Here are some of the efficiences that could be made, such as going back to three different start times for schools. (Podesta brings up this idea every year.)
January 29, 2026 at 3:26 AM
Here are some of the efficiences that could be made, such as going back to three different start times for schools. (Podesta brings up this idea every year.)
Transportation: ERS showed that SPS far outspends its peers on transportation, as illustrated here.
January 29, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Transportation: ERS showed that SPS far outspends its peers on transportation, as illustrated here.
There's a chart of the GPAs of the students who participate in athletics. He says they're considering the removal of middle school sports. Now, the city levy pays for a lot of that. All of the things on the handout we can't see add up to $3.6 million in savings.
January 29, 2026 at 3:23 AM
There's a chart of the GPAs of the students who participate in athletics. He says they're considering the removal of middle school sports. Now, the city levy pays for a lot of that. All of the things on the handout we can't see add up to $3.6 million in savings.
We will ask for a copy of this handout and post it if we get it.
January 29, 2026 at 3:21 AM
We will ask for a copy of this handout and post it if we get it.
And now Ted Howard is going to talk about how to make savings in Athletics. Apparently, Howard has passed out a handout about athletics to the board directors.
January 29, 2026 at 3:20 AM
And now Ted Howard is going to talk about how to make savings in Athletics. Apparently, Howard has passed out a handout about athletics to the board directors.
IPD is similar to a cost-of-living increase. IPD refers to the Implicit Price Deflator, which is used as a measure of inflation for adjusting salaries and contract costs.
January 29, 2026 at 3:17 AM
IPD is similar to a cost-of-living increase. IPD refers to the Implicit Price Deflator, which is used as a measure of inflation for adjusting salaries and contract costs.
She says there are 6 contracts that will need to be renegotiated this spring, but they are not considering across-the-board salary reductions. (SEA president Girard is in the audience.)
January 29, 2026 at 3:15 AM
She says there are 6 contracts that will need to be renegotiated this spring, but they are not considering across-the-board salary reductions. (SEA president Girard is in the audience.)
And here is more on potential Compensation Savings. Head of Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Sarah Pritchett says that 81% of budget is staff. Without laying anyone off, here are some ideas about how they can save $$$.
January 29, 2026 at 3:14 AM
And here is more on potential Compensation Savings. Head of Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Sarah Pritchett says that 81% of budget is staff. Without laying anyone off, here are some ideas about how they can save $$$.
Notice that executive leadership is the first thing on that list. Perhaps they'll collapse some positions. Podesta says that the new superintendent will be looking at "reorganization" (though he didn't use that word).
January 29, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Notice that executive leadership is the first thing on that list. Perhaps they'll collapse some positions. Podesta says that the new superintendent will be looking at "reorganization" (though he didn't use that word).
Here are some "efficiencies" they're considering in Central Office.
January 29, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Here are some "efficiencies" they're considering in Central Office.
Podesta says that this chart shows where SPS staffs up more (or less) than other districts. Since they are not student-facing educational expenditures, they want to look at them closely.
January 29, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Podesta says that this chart shows where SPS staffs up more (or less) than other districts. Since they are not student-facing educational expenditures, they want to look at them closely.
Here are the SPS compared with peer districts in spending.
January 29, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Here are the SPS compared with peer districts in spending.
Here's the analysis ERS did on Central Office; they say the CO is not out of line with peer districts. Podesta says there are places where different areas might not be in alignment with each other.
January 29, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Here's the analysis ERS did on Central Office; they say the CO is not out of line with peer districts. Podesta says there are places where different areas might not be in alignment with each other.
Next up is Interim Superintendent talking about Central Administration.
January 29, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Next up is Interim Superintendent talking about Central Administration.
They're considering cutting the half-time Academic Interventionist Specialists in High Schools ... um why?
January 29, 2026 at 3:03 AM
They're considering cutting the half-time Academic Interventionist Specialists in High Schools ... um why?
Here are some of the changes they're considering. No increasing of class sizes and no school closures ... yet. They are trying to refocus staff on direct services to students.
January 29, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Here are some of the changes they're considering. No increasing of class sizes and no school closures ... yet. They are trying to refocus staff on direct services to students.
Aha, CAI is Starosky's division, and he has 119 staffers who are working on all of these things.
January 29, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Aha, CAI is Starosky's division, and he has 119 staffers who are working on all of these things.