Jordan Public Schools approves resolution directing administration to prepare program and staffing reduction recommendations amid tight budget projections

The Jordan Public School District board on an annual, procedural vote directed district administration to prepare recommendations for reductions in programs and positions, citing fiscal projections that show limited unassigned reserves and a small projected overspend.

In a budget presentation, speaker 13 said the district’s audited total fund balance for fiscal year 2025 was about $3,900,000 and that the unassigned fund balance was roughly $3,072,000, which the presenter said equates to about 11.36% of the annual budget (board policy target: 12%). The presenter told the board the revised budget for the current fiscal year anticipates an overspend of “about $35,000,” driven largely by ongoing LTFM projects, salary increases and other rising costs such as utilities and transportation.

Speaker 13 also projected that, if current assumptions hold, the unassigned fund balance would be approximately $3,100,000 (about 11.83% of the budget) as of June 30, 2026. The presenter described recent capital work funded through LTFM: tennis court resurfacing, fencing, partial roof work, chiller disconnect switch and water-heater replacements, and noted sealed bids will be opened soon for auditorium lighting work at the high school.

Board members and administrators discussed enrollment and revenue assumptions. The presenter said the district currently has 50 students attending the Minnesota Virtual Academy partnership and noted preliminary FY27 assumptions include a 2% increase in the state formula (to $7,630 per adjusted ADM) that would add an estimated $305,000 if enacted. The board also heard the district is monitoring Blue Ribbon Commission and compensatory-revenue discussions at the state level that could materially affect special-education and compensatory revenues.

Following the budget discussion, Superintendent Evenson introduced a resolution “directing the administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions and reasons therefore,” noting the action is a routine, annual procedural step to preserve legal timelines for staff notification if reductions become necessary. The board approved the resolution by roll call: Molly Boniak — Yes; Lauren Pedersen — Yes; Corinne Hennon — Yes; Christina Olsen — Yes; Matt Bertrand — Yes; Deb Polley — Yes. The motion was recorded as carried.

The superintendent and the budget presenter emphasized that these steps do not equal immediate layoff actions but preserve the district’s compliance with timelines (noted in discussion as March 15 for licensure changes and June 30 as an administrative deadline for reductions). The board was told any subsequent staffing recommendations will return with specifics and timelines during the district’s usual budget-review process and as more information from the legislature becomes available.

What’s next: District staff will continue refining the revised budget, monitor state-level decisions (including Blue Ribbon Commission outputs), and return to the board with any recommended program or staffing changes and associated timelines before any formal personnel actions.