Cannon Falls school board directs administration to return with $700,000 in proposed cuts, sets Sept. 8 special meeting

The School Board of Independent School District No. 252 on Thursday voted to direct administration to prepare $700,000 in proposed reductions for fiscal year 2027 and set a special meeting for 7 a.m. on Sept. 8 to finalize the package. The motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Administration described multiple cost pressures and an enrollment estimate that together could require significant cuts. With voters set to begin absentee voting Sept. 19 for a potential referendum, board members said the district needed an immediate, transparent target for public information and planning.

Administration summary and request: Superintendent Jeff (the superintendent) told the board the recommendation is a first-pass figure designed to let staff identify specific items to bring back for board review. He said the district is accounting for a conservative projected drop of 16 students (about $160,000 in revenue), recent legislative changes including paid FMLA and increased teacher retirement costs, insurance and utilities inflation, and a prior one-time $150,000 bus purchase. "So what I'm asking the board for tonight is approval to bring back $700,000 in cuts," Jeff said.

Board concerns about program and staffing impacts: Board members pressed on the consequences of cuts reaching instruction and electives. Tim, who oversees middle/high staffing and scheduling, said reductions at the levels discussed would likely force the district to eliminate elective sections or entire departments. "If we start making reductions in those areas, then I'm looking at eliminating a whole department," Tim said, adding that large class sizes (40–45 students) would be untenable and space-constrained.

Referendum and alternatives: Administrators noted a potential per-pupil referendum (discussed at roughly $950 per pupil in the meeting) could generate substantial new revenue if approved, but they cautioned it would not immediately erase the need to plan cuts. Josh (business/finance) explained timing constraints for tax receipts and the district's cash-flow calendar that affect when new revenue would be available.

Board decision and next steps: After discussion about whether to set a larger preliminary target, the board agreed the administratively recommended $700,000 was the most prudent starting point and approved a motion directing staff to return with specific reductions. Chair moved the motion and the board voted "aye"; the motion carried five-zero. The board also set a special meeting for 7 a.m. Sept. 8 to review the administration's list and take formal action.

What remains open: The administration will compile a draft list of proposed reductions and present it at the special meeting. The board did not adopt any specific layoffs or program eliminations at Thursday's meeting; it only set the dollar target for staff to translate into proposals.