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Brainerd High School recommends keeping seven‑period day; administration outlines staffing options to meet budget targets

Brainerd School Board · January 13, 2026
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Summary

High school leaders recommended maintaining a seven‑period day for 2026–27 to preserve student course access while pursuing staffing adjustments and enrollment‑driven scheduling to meet budget constraints; administration said course registration in February will determine elective offerings and potential FTE reductions.

Brainerd High School leadership presented a high‑level proposal Jan. 12 recommending the district retain a seven‑period day for the coming school year while pursuing staffing and scheduling adjustments to address budget gaps.

"The recommendation has gone to the superintendent to remain with a seven period day at the high school for the next school year," Principal/Dr. Carrie Boser told the board. Administrators said the seven‑period model allows students to take up to 14 courses per year and that roughly one‑third of students currently take advantage of expanded elective opportunities.

Administration identified several levers to achieve the district's fiscal target, including tighter course-registration thresholds (electives run only if enrollment justifies them), natural attrition or retirements, targeted FTE reductions and adjustments to class-size targets (administration cited a planning cap of 36 students in some classes). Dr. Boser said the detailed staffing impacts will be determined after registration and training in February.

Why it matters: Moving to a six‑period day would reduce the total number of elective slots students can access; administrators said they could meet budget targets without changing the instructional day, but enrollment and registration numbers will determine which electives run and which positions may be affected.

Board questions focused on how many students use extra electives (administration said about 550, roughly one‑third of the high school population), how course minimums and safety constraints affect offerings, and whether the district will expand College‑in‑the‑Schools (CIS) options; administrators said they plan to add at least one CIS composition option pending instructor qualification requirements.

Next steps: Registration and staffing decisions in February will finalize how many FTEs are reduced and which elective courses will be offered for 2026–27.