Owatonna board directs administration to propose program and position reductions after levy fails
Summary
After a failed levy, the Owatonna Public School District board unanimously adopted a resolution directing the administration to recommend program and staff reductions; members said the resolution is a formal step to prepare for required cuts.
The Owatonna Public School District board voted unanimously Nov. 24 to direct the district administration to develop recommendations for program and position reductions following the defeat of a levy.
Board leadership described the measure as a procedural step to prepare for budget reductions. “In light of the fact that the levy did not carry, it’s necessary for us to make these sorts of reductions,” the Board Chair said, calling the resolution a formality that asks the administration to identify potential cuts.
The resolution was introduced after earlier discussion in the finance committee, which received preliminary audit reporting and began outlining possible reductions. Board member Mark Stotts urged the formal action during a prior work session; the motion to adopt the resolution was made on the floor and carried on a roll-call voice vote with seven ayes and no opposed votes.
District administrators have been working on budget adjustments and a community engagement series to present options and seek feedback, Superintendent Dr. Ciampa told the board in the administrative report earlier in the meeting. Dr. Ciampa said the district will prioritize transparency as staff present proposals to the board and community.
What this means next: administration is now formally tasked to prepare recommendations for which programs or positions could be reduced; the board did not adopt any cuts at the meeting and did not specify dollar amounts or target programs. The board’s action authorizes staff to return with detailed options for deliberation and potential formal action at subsequent meetings.
