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Board debates staffing swaps, program cuts and revenue options amid expected funding pressure
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Summary
Faced with anticipated reductions to compensatory aid, the board discussed a package of budget-streamlining proposals: converting two WIN intervention positions to ESL, phasing out an instructional coach to add an elementary special-education teacher, allowing the high-school dean of students role to lapse, and combining student-leadership duties; members requested detailed caseload and cost data and scheduled a work session.
The Long Prairie-Grey Eagle School Board spent significant time reviewing administrator Daniel’s budget-streamlining recommendations, which aim to close gaps driven by expected cuts to compensatory aid.
Administrator Daniel told the board that projected reductions in compensatory funding require shifting positions and coding to reclaim cross-subsidy dollars. His principal suggestions included phasing out the instructional coach position and using that slot to hire an elementary special-education teacher; converting two WIN intervention positions into English-language-learner (ELL/ESL) positions to capture cross-subsidy funding; allowing the high-school dean of students position to lapse; and combining National Honor Society and student council duties into an expanded activities and athletic-director role. Daniel said the proposals were designed to keep total staff counts similar while shifting funding toward positions that generate cross-subsidy revenue or address mandated caseload pressures.
Board members expressed strong concerns about harming vulnerable students. Several trustees argued WIN intervention groups (small-group literacy/math interventions) directly support students who are not yet classroom-level, and cutting WIN positions could reduce services for dozens of students. Others noted ESL and special-education caseloads are already high and that licensing requirements and a year-long pathway (Project Momentum) limit how quickly teachers can convert roles. Administrators offered options such as variances and retraining, pointed to at least one current opening that could facilitate reassignment, and emphasized the need to act soon so staff can plan.
The board voted to "sunset" the high-school dean position, reassign Chromebook responsibilities to the technology department, and move student-leadership duties to the activities/AD role; members also requested a work session and detailed caseload and cost numbers before additional staffing changes are finalized.
What to watch: administration committed to provide MDE report-card numbers (special education counts by building, current caseloads) and to convene a work session in early May to model savings, caseload impacts and alternatives before final staffing decisions.
