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Board hears enrollment drop to 806 and readies budget review as state forecast looms
Summary
District staff reported K–12 headcount of 806 (down about 26) and projected 60 kindergarteners for 2025–26; the board authorized administration to review finances and consider cuts if necessary and approved submitting the state-required pay-equity report.
District staff told the Lac qui Parle Valley Schools board that K–12 headcount was 806 as of Dec. 31, down about 26 students from earlier projections, and briefed members on how that figure feeds into 'pupil unit' calculations used for planning.
Verma, presenting the enrollment and pupil-unit analysis, said the orange column in the packet reflected the Dec. 31 snapshot and that projected kindergarten enrollment is 60 for the 2025–26 school year (with a planning assumption of 57 thereafter). “The total K–12 is at 806. That's quite a significant drop,” Verma said, and cautioned that projections will firm after spring kindergarten roundup and the first day of school.
Verma also noted the district is watching the state budget closely: the most recent state forecast showed potential shortfalls and the district expects a February forecast that will inform the governor's proposal. The board was briefed that the budget included prior assumptions of enrollment increases and that staff would continue to monitor monthly changes.
Following the fiscal discussion, the board voted to give Superintendent Lemke and district staff authority to review finances and identify whether cuts would be needed or if status quo spending was sustainable; the motion instructed staff to report back with options. The board also approved submitting a required Minnesota pay-equity report, a state-mandated triennial filing.
Superintendent Lemke said the district is exploring supplemental 'ACCESS' funding that could reimburse roughly 60% of additional intervention-staff costs if the district hires staff upfront, and cautioned that compensatory funding remains in flux at the state level.
The board requested staff continue to return to the board with updated enrollment figures and budget impact scenarios as the district approaches the fiscal and staffing decisions.
