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Board approves 2026–27 compensatory revenue plan, earmarks holdback to staff 43 FTE
Summary
The board approved the district's 2026–27 compensatory revenue plan to hold back up to 20% districtwide (approximately $4.45 million) to fund 43 FTE focused on literacy, math intervention, EL supports and special education staffing; administration said it will use a conservative approach given possible state 'hold harmless' changes.
The St. Cloud Public School District Board voted unanimously to approve the 2026–27 compensatory revenue plan, authorizing a 20% district‑level holdback to allocate resources across schools and fund staffing needs.
Amy Scallarude, executive director of finance and business services, told the board the district’s compensatory allocation is approximately $24.2 million before a statutory hold‑harmless reserve adjustment and that administrators are recommending a conservative approach to avoid relying on an expected legislative change. "We’re kind of meeting in the middle and taking $2 million of the $4 million off" rather than spending the full projected increase immediately, Scallarude said, explaining that the strategy preserves a reserve if a hold‑harmless bill reduces the district’s final allocation.
Under the approved plan the net compensatory amount used for allocation is roughly $22.2 million; the 20% holdback of that adjusted base equals about $4,454,000 and supports 43 full‑time‑equivalent positions. Scallarude said the funded positions are largely consistent with prior years — elementary instructional coaches and intervention positions, secondary literacy and math supports, chemical health counselors, EL staffing, early childhood positions and special education FTE that respond to enrollment increases. She also told the board the district expects some enrollment‑driven increases and remains prepared to add staff later if legislative funding materializes.
Board members pressed for clarity about the hold‑harmless concept and what would change if special education funding were reduced by the state. Scallarude explained the hold‑harmless adjustments are a legislative formula that can redistribute funds and said the district’s conservative plan preserves the unreserved fund balance and protects staffing commitments in the event of future funding shifts.
The motion to approve the plan was made by Scott Andre and seconded by Zack Dohalt and passed by roll‑call vote with all members voting yes.
