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Moorhead board approves reductions and preliminary 2025‑26 staffing plan amid enrollment shifts
Summary
The board approved a resolution to discontinue or reduce programs and positions, including a 0.5 FTE Chinese teacher reduction, and received a preliminary staffing plan that lists several reductions and a handful of additions tied to enrollment and budget projections.
The Moorhead Area Public Schools Board on March 24 approved a resolution directing administration to effect terminations, reductions and nonrenewals of educational programs and positions because of changing enrollment and financial limits.
The resolution identified a 0.5 FTE reduction in Chinese language instruction for grades 9–12. Dr. Winnick (district administrator) told the board the teacher in that position had been working half time this school year because enrollment was low (about 40 students, with roughly 15 continuing), and that the teacher had been approved for retirement at a prior board meeting. Laura Lee (commenter) asked whether the action would affect that retirement; administration said the teacher’s retirement status with the district would not be affected.
Keith (school board member) moved the resolution; Melissa seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote, 6–1, with Bergen recorded as the lone nay. The board chair and administration emphasized that many of the recommended reductions will be handled through attrition (retirements or resignations) rather than immediate layoffs.
At the same meeting the administration presented the district’s preliminary staffing plan for 2025–26. Key items listed in the plan included:
- Elementary (K–4): recommended 2.0 FTE reduction reflected as a potential adjustment the district may hold in reserve during the summer. - High school: recommended 2.5 FTE reduction based on scheduling and projected enrollment. - Custodial: request for 1.0 FTE custodial addition to account for increased square footage in the new high school. - Special education: add 1.0 FTE speech‑language pathology because contracting for the service was judged costlier than hiring district staff. - Student support: recommended 2.0 FTE reduction (one reduction already achieved by attrition). - Supervisory: recommended 0.25 FTE reduction; district noted a 2.0 FTE reduction via attrition in 2024–25. - District level: recommended 4.0 FTE reduction in district‑level coaching positions.
Dr. Winnick described staffing decisions as fluid through the summer: posted positions, retirements and resignations can change the final FTE counts. He said the district reviews enrollment projections, budget and legislative funding as it finalizes hires. When board members asked whether projected class sizes would be affected, staff said the plan left a margin to respond if enrollment increases over the summer and that the elementary reductions were included so the district could be responsive.
Votes at a glance: Move to approve the resolution directing administration to effect termination/reduction/nonrenewal of programs and positions as listed — Mover: Keith; Second: Melissa; Outcome: approved 6–1 (Bergen nay).
Administration said next steps include program evaluation and -- if necessary -- probationary layoff notices in a future meeting; those actions would follow statutory procedures and collective bargaining requirements where applicable.
