Bemidji school board approves preliminary budget, personnel hires and multiple policy first readings

The Bemidji Public School District Board of Education on June 16 unanimously approved a set of routine and substantive actions, including adoption of a preliminary FY2026 operating budget, designation of an official for state reporting, acceptance of donations and first readings of multiple policy updates.

The board adopted a preliminary operating budget for fiscal year 2026 that projects districtwide revenues of about $89 million and expenditures of about $91 million, producing a preliminary total-year deficit. The district’s operational (unrestricted) general fund figures in the board packet show estimated operational revenues of $65.3 million, operational expenses of $66.2 million and transfers of $1.0 million, a roughly $1.9 million operational deficit. The district’s estimated ending general fund balance was presented at about $8.4 million, yielding a projected fund-balance percentage of 12.7% (board policy minimum: 10%). Superintendent Jeremy Olsen and finance staff noted the budget is preliminary and may change after final FY2025 actuals and a post‑session review of legislative actions.

The board also approved the designation of Superintendent Jeremy Olsen as the district’s identified official for Minnesota Department of Education external user access recertification, accepted a $500 donation from Tracy Shelgren to Bemidji Middle School in memory of Travis Sackman, and unanimously approved Christine Christiansen’s hire as principal of Horace May Elementary, effective July 1, 2025.

Finance staff presented and the board approved a resolution to remove a previously committed fund balance for an audio‑visual technology replacement project and instead fund the project from restricted operating capital. Ashley Eastridge said the change was possible after updated fiscal‑year‑end balances and because the Bemidji High School chilled‑water/chiller project is tracking under budget, which would free resources and accelerate related tax‑credit timelines.

The board gave first‑reading approval to a package of policy revisions and new procedures, including changes to graduation requirements to reflect a five‑period day and the district’s personal‑finance requirement; modified‑grading guidance tied to IEP adjustments; updated rules for distribution of non‑school materials; staff‑development standards including paraprofessionals; an updated internet and acceptable‑use policy; and a new personal electronic communication device policy addressing recording and FERPA‑related privacy issues. The board also voted to rescind a procedural element tied to superintendent evaluation so the evaluation instrument can be revised more quickly by board procedure rather than policy.

Most motions were taken by voice vote and recorded as unanimous. Board members asked few follow‑up questions during the meeting; presenters emphasized the preliminary nature of some figures, especially the budget, and the need to await final enrollment and legislative outcomes before making final adjustments.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of meeting agenda — approved (voice vote unanimous). - Consent agenda — approved (voice vote unanimous). - Donation: $500 from Tracy Shelgren to Bemidji Middle School (in honor of Travis Sackman) — approved (voice vote unanimous). - Designation of identified official for MDE external user access recertification (designated Jeremy Olsen) — approved (roll call; recorded as unanimous). - Student handbooks (high school, middle, elementary, community education) — approved (voice vote unanimous); changes include schedule/credit alignment to five‑period day, attendance procedures, updated Google Workspace notice, lunch price clarifications and mental‑health/telehealth access language. - Appointment: Christine Christiansen, principal at Horace May Elementary, effective 07/01/2025 — approved (voice vote unanimous). - Resolution removing committed fund balance for AV technology replacement and funding from operating capital restricted — approved (roll call; recorded as unanimous). Notes: FY24 audited beginning fund balance was updated to FY25 estimate, changing fund‑balance percentage from 15.8% to 13.7%; BHS chiller project tracking under budget enabled the funding shift. - Fiscal Year 2026 preliminary operating budget adoption — approved (voice vote unanimous). Key figures: total preliminary revenues ≈ $89 million, total preliminary expenses ≈ $91 million; projected operational deficit ≈ $1.9 million; estimated ending general fund balance ≈ $8.4 million (12.7%). - Certification of updated district population estimate (for community education funding) — approved (roll call; unanimous). - First readings and approvals (action recorded as first reading acceptance) for: revised graduation requirements (MSBA alignment, five‑period day, personal finance), modified grading tied to IEPs, distribution of non‑school materials by non‑school persons and by students/employees, display/distribution by student groups (minor wording change to refer to building principal), staff development standards (including paraprofessionals), internet and technology acceptable use (cell‑phone language moved), and new personal electronic communication device policy (recording limits to protect privacy/FERPA) — all approved on first reading (voice votes unanimous). - Policy rescission: rescind procedure portion of superintendent evaluation policy (to move the evaluation instrument to board procedure for faster revision) — approved (voice vote unanimous).

What board members and staff emphasized

Presenters repeatedly described the budget as preliminary and contingent on final enrollment and the legislature’s actions. Ashley Eastridge and Superintendent Jeremy Olsen emphasized that salary/benefit negotiations (which comprise roughly 81% of the district budget) and unsettled legislative items create notable uncertainty for FY26 projections.

Next steps

Board members were told the district will return with revised figures once FY25 actuals are final and as legislative impacts are clarified; the budget will be revisited and adjusted if necessary later in the year.

Ending

The meeting adjourned after routine closing motions; the board planned to meet in closed session following adjournment.