Board debates budget priorities, seeks options to avoid classroom cuts and weighs opening Zumbro

Board members spent extended time on budget priorities and direction for administrators as the district works toward required reductions.

Dr. Mahorn opened the discussion and asked trustees to provide priorities to guide budget planning. Multiple trustees said protecting classroom instruction, maintaining current class sizes, and prioritizing student safety and attendance should guide reductions. Several board members favored beginning cuts at the district-office and administrative level and seeking to minimize impacts on teachers and principals.

Trustees discussed specific lines and positions under consideration. Some board members proposed not replacing vacant district positions and administrative roles first, and expressed particular concern about cutting counselors, psychologists and reading interventionists because of their direct impact on student services. Others acknowledged that district-level reductions are necessary to meet targets and urged creative options to reduce costs without losing core services.

A recurring topic was the district’s plan for Zumbro (a planned campus). Trustees asked whether Zumbro could open with a smaller grade span (for example, K–3, or preschool plus some elementary grades) or be repurposed (e.g., preschool or consolidated specialized programs) to capture students without incurring full startup costs. Administration advised four unique hires would be needed to open Zumbro under the initial plan (principal, office staff/assistant, health aide and custodian) while many teacher positions could be transferred from other campuses. Administration previously estimated an initial set-aside (presented by staff) close to $500,000 for the school’s startup; trustees asked staff to examine phased opening models so staffing can match enrollment.

Trustees also asked staff to revise job descriptions and responsibilities where positions are likely to be consolidated, so employees receive accurate role descriptions before contracts are issued. Several board members asked for stakeholder input (teachers, principals, parents) and a more detailed spreadsheet that shows financial impacts when different options are combined; one trustee said the district needs additional options to reach the full reduction target (the board discussed a current estimate near $2.6 million in savings but said the district must reach approximately $3.6 million).

After substantive discussion about timelines and stakeholder engagement, the board chose to table item 8.6 and requested administration return with a menu of prioritized options, detailed cost-savings spreadsheet, revised job descriptions where necessary, and stakeholder-impact analyses. The board directed administration to work with their budget consultant (Ken Hicks) to prepare materials and indicated a desire for a focused study session to finalize priorities prior to finalizing additional contract issuances.

What’s next: Administration will prepare a detailed spreadsheet of options, estimated dollar impacts to reach the board’s target, proposals for a phased opening or alternative use of Zumbro, revised job descriptions for consolidated roles, and a plan for stakeholder input; the board expects a dedicated follow-up meeting to finalize priorities.