Beloit School Board hears $6.2M budget reduction options, adopts policies and approves HR items in special meeting

At a special Beloit School Board meeting called for Tuesday, April 29, Superintendent Dr. Garrison presented preliminary options for roughly $6.2 million in post-referendum budget reductions and the board took several formal actions including approval of employment recommendations and the final reading and adoption of multiple policies.

Dr. Garrison told the board the district faces an estimated $6,200,000 gap and outlined categories of potential reductions: central-office and building-administration position reductions (about nine positions, estimated savings ~$1,400,000), building-level professional and support staff reductions (about 24 positions, estimated savings ~$2,100,000), compensation freezes (estimated ~$1,600,000), and potential increases in employee insurance premiums (estimated up to $250,000). He also listed further options such as delaying device replacements, reviewing contracts (including the HES custodial contract), pausing some elective courses and programming, and reviewing facilities, resale and leasing options.

"...in that post referendum space, we have reductions that we have to make, which is about $6,200,000," Dr. Garrison said while reviewing slides that the superintendent said he would distribute to the board.

The board debated an early procedural amendment to remove Item 5 from the special-meeting agenda (the motion to remove Item 5 failed on a roll call, 3–4). The board then approved the agenda by vote 5–2. The board approved employment recommendations listed as Exhibit A by voice vote; the motion carried unanimously.

The board later voted to convene into closed session under Wisconsin Statutes §19.85 for personnel and negotiation matters (initial closed session motion carried unanimously). After reconvening in open session, the board also voted to enter a later closed session under §19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel; that second closed-session motion passed on a roll call vote 5–2.

Several policy items were taken from the consent agenda after members requested they be pulled for discussion. The board approved revisions to Policy 3-45.4 (promotion or retention) for final reading, effective July 1, 2025, and included retiring Rule 345.4 Rule 1; that motion carried unanimously. The board approved a package of related policy items (items D through G on the agenda) by a 5–2 vote. The board adopted Policy 3-23.3, "Displaying of Flags," on final reading by roll call (5–2). The adopted policy states that flagpoles at each school and administrative building shall display only the flags of the United States of America and the Wisconsin state flag, and that a United States flag will be displayed in each classroom — wording read aloud by the presiding officer at the roll call.

Board member Amy Levy had requested that the flag policy be pulled so she could record a dissenting vote; Levy said she was concerned about timing and implementation costs and legal risk. Board member Megan Miller urged more time for a newly seated board to study policy implications; board members who opposed delaying argued the policies had already had prior readings and review.

The board adjourned after the final votes. Dr. Garrison and multiple board members emphasized that the budget-reduction presentation was preliminary and that final budget impacts would depend on the state biennial budget and further local decisions.

Votes at a glance - Amendment to remove Item 5 from the special-meeting agenda — failed by roll call, 3–4. - Approval of the meeting agenda — approved by roll call, 5–2. - Employment recommendations (Exhibit A) — approved unanimously. - Motion to enter closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(c) and (f) for HR and negotiations — approved unanimously. - Motion to enter closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel — approved by roll call, 5–2. - Policy 3-45.4 (promotion/retention) with retirement of Rule 345.4 Rule 1 — adopted for final reading and effective 07/01/2025, unanimous. - Policies D–G (consent package items) — adopted, 5–2. - Policy 3-23.3 (Displaying of Flags) — adopted for final reading by roll call, 5–2; text: flagpoles shall display only the U.S. flag and the Wisconsin state flag; a U.S. flag will be displayed in each classroom.

The superintendent said some decisions about staffing and other reductions will be contingent on the state biennial budget and that the district may revisit positions for possible rehire if additional revenue materializes.