Monticello board votes to nonrenew probationary teaching contracts as district eyes $2 million gap

The Monticello School Board on April 7 approved two resolutions to nonrenew the teaching contracts of probationary teachers, including probationary Title 1 teachers, effective June 6, 2025, citing Minnesota Statute 122A.40, subdivision 5 and the district master agreement. Both motions passed on voice votes, 5-0.

Board chair opened the fiscal stability discussion by noting the human impact of the decision. "It's a heavy topic and one of the least fun things we have to do here as board members," the board chair said, adding that the board, administrators and district leaders carry the burden of the cuts.

The resolutions read at the meeting said, in part, that "the teaching contracts of those presented, probationary teachers in independent district number 82 shall be nonrenewed at the end of the 2024–25 school year effective 06/06/2025." A second resolution used identical statutory language and specified probationary Title 1 teachers.

Jeff Hegley moved the first resolution; Casey Root seconded. The board voted 5-0. Hegley moved the second resolution; it was seconded and also passed 5-0.

The board framed the nonrenewals as a response to a projected budget shortfall the chair described as about $2,000,000. Board remarks emphasized the weight of personnel decisions while saying they were part of efforts to keep the district solvent and maintain the student experience.

The motions recorded in the minutes were limited to nonrenewal of probationary contracts per the statute and district master agreement; no additional layoff details, individual teacher names, or positions beyond "probationary" and "probationary Title 1 teachers" were provided in the public record at the meeting.

The board will carry these staffing decisions into the end of the school year; the resolutions as presented do not create additional duties or next steps beyond the nonrenewal actions specified in the motions.