The Vian Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Oct. 13, where board members reviewed district testing results, discussed the 2025–26 budget outlook, and approved several annual policy renewals and procedural items. Superintendent John Brockman presented the state testing results for grades third through 12th from the 2024–25 school year. The report highlighted continued progress across most grade levels, with the percentage of students scoring “Proficient” improving each of the past three years.

“Most of our classes are now performing above state averages,” Brockman said, noting that third, seventh and 11th grades showed the strongest results. However, he added that fourth and sixth grades scored below state averages in all subjects, and that targeted interventions were already underway to address those gaps.

Board member Jeff Cotner commended the district for maintaining strong “Basic” proficiency rates but urged a renewed focus on pushing more students into the “Advanced” category.

“We’re doing well at getting students up to standard,” he said, “but we need to challenge our higher achievers, too.”

Reports

Brockman also reviewed the district’s budget report, which projects a roughly $200,000 negative cash flow for fiscal year 2025–26. However, he clarified that this apparent shortfall is due to timing, not overspending.

According to Brockman, about $200,000 in federal funding was received early during the 2024–25 fiscal year instead of the current one. Adjusting for that early payment, the district’s finances remain stable.

Cotner reassured board members and the public that the numbers should not raise concern.

“This isn’t a red flag,” he said. “We’re in good shape, especially considering the solid balances in our General and Building funds.”

Brockman also noted a small dip in overall student enrollment—down by about 10 students from last year— primarily due to a smaller kindergarten class.

The board reviewed the annual dropout and remeseveral diation report, which showed that 13 of Vian High School’s 52 graduates from the Class of 2024 have enrolled in college or technical programs.

Policy, business approvals

Board members voted unanimously to approve several items, including:

• A Board Resolution for the upcoming school election

• District transfer capacity for the second quarter

• The district’s 2025– 26 Procurement Plan

• The Fundraiser Exemption Policy and Wellness Policy renewals for 2025–26

• Employment of the Stephen L. Smith Corporation as financial consultants. The firm currently manages the district’s bonds used to finance the high school.

The board also accepted the resignation of elementary school custodian Shawn Cook.

Encumbrances and warrants were approved for the General Fund ($76,187.06) and the Building Fund ($4,009.33).

Transfers included $180 from Athletics to FFA Boosters for press box meals and $363 from High School Cheer to FFA for senior banners.

This news story is based on the unofficial minutes from the board meeting and could be in error if the minutes are changed prior to adoption.