Board pauses spending on three superintendent‑led initiatives pending leadership clarity

The Crook County School District Board voted 4‑0 at a special meeting to pause spending on three items tied to initiatives associated with the superintendent: supplemental curriculum materials, an attendance initiative, and an expansion of phlebotomy in the high‑school Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Board members said pausing spending will allow the district to reassess those initiatives while leadership matters are addressed.

A board member explained that reversing prior supplemental budgets and appropriations is “a near impossibility at this point” but that pausing implementation of specific elements tied to the superintendent’s initiatives — the supplemental curriculum materials, the attendance initiative, and the phlebotomy expansion — is feasible pending clarification about leadership and authority. The motion to pause those expenditures passed unanimously, with Miss Tammy asked to note the results.

The board did not specify dollar amounts, contract details, or exact duration for the pause during the special meeting. Members said the business office had requested supplemental budgets at the prior meeting and that undoing prior appropriations entirely could be difficult. The board’s directive pauses further expenditures on the three listed items until leadership direction is established; the pause does not itself cancel the appropriations already processed.

Members said they will revisit the items after the negotiation process and any legal counsel guidance, and they scheduled follow‑up at the regular meeting next week. The board did not set firm deadlines or disclose whether paused funds are restricted to particular accounts.