Chair Sharpless introduced an auditor-contract extension request from the district's auditor, Ms. Matthews, who asked to extend her contract from June 2026 to June 2029. The chair noted a contractual deadline that any extension be approved by Dec. 15, and explained the item was placed on both the work session and the evening board meeting to provide time for discussion.

Board members discussed succession planning, noting that an assistant director position exists to support a transition and that the board should maintain a tickler calendar for contract deadlines. Several members said they were comfortable with extending the contract but preferred additional time to review the draft. "If the board has a consensus that we do it today for both discussion and approval, I'm not gonna vote against it," one board member said, while others requested a formal review and additional time.

Attorney Green and Ms. Matthews confirmed there was flexibility: Matthews agreed to allow the board to move final action to the January meeting and to provide an email confirming she was agreeable to that delay. The chair instructed staff to adjust the agenda and move the action item from tonight to January for final approval.

No vote was taken at the work session. Staff will circulate the draft contract language and supporting materials, and the board will consider the extension at the January meeting as agreed.