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School board approves FY26 achievement and integration budget; discussion focuses on AVID, liaisons and program staffing
Summary
The ISD 191 school board approved the district's proposed FY2026 Achievement and Integration revenue budget after a presentation by the director of educational equity; board members asked about funding sources, AVID pathways, and staffing implications amid flat grant funds and rising salaries.
The Burnsville ISD 191 School Board voted unanimously to approve the district’s proposed fiscal year 2026 Achievement and Integration revenue budget.
Isis Buchanan, director of educational equity, presented an overview of the program and the FY26 budget request, noting FY26 would be the third year of the district’s current three-year Achievement and Integration plan. Buchanan said the budget supports goals including raising graduation rates, reducing demographic disproportionality in rigorous high‑school courses, and increasing the percentage of students taught by teachers using culturally responsive practices. Key funded items include AVID programming and summer experiences, social workers, cultural liaisons, an American Indian cultural specialist position (partially funded), and specialists who support culturally responsive instruction.
Board members asked practical questions about funding and program continuity. Director Ault asked whether the achievement and integration funds come from the state; Buchanan responded these funds are allocated by the Minnesota Department of Education based on enrollment and adjusted once final counts are known. Director Ault and others discussed how AVID programming connects across elementary, middle and high school and how the district recruits and retains students in AVID through site coordinators and professional development.
Buchanan warned that the grant total is “kinda flat” and noted a roughly $28,000 personnel increase driven by salary adjustments; she said salary increases could require shifting or reducing FTE if costs rise and funds remain static. The budget presentation also listed uses of district general, capital and restricted funds (Title funds, Perkins, tech levy) to support makerspaces, CTE consumables, textbooks, and other curricular resources.
The board approved the FY26 Achievement and Integration revenue budget on a motion by Director Chester with a second by Director Anderson; the motion carried unanimously. Directors raised follow-up questions about better connecting middle- and high-school AVID students and how the district supports transitions and recruitment.
Context: The Achievement and Integration budget is a restricted state funding stream; Buchanan said the district receives a preliminary amount that is set by MDE and adjusted for final enrollment. The board will continue budget deliberations this spring as superintendent recommendations are finalized.
