Bemidji board approves amended staffing‑reduction package, spares Solway cut and keeps debate funded for one year

The Bemidji Public School District board on Monday approved an amended package of licensed‑staff reductions aimed at reducing the district's structural deficit, but removed the proposed 1.0 FTE Solway Elementary reduction and spared one probationary teacher from nonrenewal.

Supporters of teachers and extracurriculars filled the public comment period, pressing the board to preserve debate, librarians and English teachers. "Our kids are speaking very loudly. They demand to be heard," said Jade Dockendorf, an English teacher at Bemidji High School, who told the board that reducing English staff would undermine freshmen credit‑attainment goals and increase class sizes to 35.

Why it matters: Administration told the board the district has run a structural deficit since 2019 and set a $1.5 million reduction target to help balance upcoming budgets. Superintendent Olsen said the gap stems from state aid not keeping pace with inflation, calling out an "18.7%" difference between current state aid and what the district would have received if aid had tracked inflation.

What the board voted: After discussion and an amendment to remove the Solway cut and to withdraw Catherine Brandt from the list of probationary nonrenewals, the board approved the amended reduction resolution by roll call. Administration said the recommended reductions still exceeded the board's $1.5 million target even with the Solway change. The board also separately approved a resolution increasing special‑education FTE at Bemidji Middle School and Jean Dillon to offset a high‑school reduction, and approved a separate personnel resolution to notify other probationary staff of nonrenewal and to place two staff members on unrequested leave.

Public input and debate program: Students, parents and alumni urged the board to save the debate team. "Debate is not a luxury, but a necessity," said sophomore Brynn Clares, who cited state and national competitive success. The superintendent reported donations covering one year of debate costs (including a $3,500 donation earmarked for debate), and board members indicated support for sustaining the program for at least one year while revenue options are explored.

Numbers and scope: Administration presented roughly $1,600,000 of reduction proposals (about $1.42 million identified in licensed positions plus additional nonlicensed reductions) with classroom‑impacted reductions making up approximately 53% of proposed cuts. Proposed licensed reductions listed by administration included 1.0 FTE math, 1.0 FTE English, 1.0 FTE social studies and 1.0 FTE special education at the high school, plus elementary and middle‑school reductions and 1.64 FTE in media specialist time.

Board statements and next steps: Board members acknowledged the difficulty of the decisions. Several members urged the community to support future revenue options, including potential levies, and administrators said they would continue to explore revenue and attrition strategies. The board also approved the administrative steps required by state statute to notify affected staff of decisions.

Votes at a glance: The amended reductions resolution, the special‑education FTE increase, the termination/nonrenewal notifications and the unrequested‑leave placements were each approved by roll call during the meeting. The board scheduled further budget review for January and signalled possible additional actions if legislative changes affect state aid.