District news
Online charter grows past 4,000 students; 10-year contract on agenda
What happened
The district's Fossil Charter School distance-learning program grew from about 3,200 students in 2025-26 to 4,039 in September 2026, far more than Fossil's in-person schools. The district's 2026-27 budget totals $76.6 million. The October 26, 2026 agenda asks the board to approve a 2027-37 contract with Distance Learning Solutions, Inc., the company running the program, and staff proposed open-ended 'dynamic' enrollment beyond the lottery.
Why it matters to families
Almost all of the district's money and students come through this online program, so a 10-year contract commits the district for a decade.
The evidence
September 16, 2026 minutes (item 4.2), May 20, 2026 budget committee minutes (item 7.0) and the October 26, 2026 agenda (item 9.5).
The source
October 26, 2026 board agendaSee the full record for Fossil School District 21J.
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