Bemidji school board approves budget reductions, personnel notices, tentative teacher contract and to begin an online school pilot

The Bemidji Public School District board on a series of motions approved personnel reductions and additions to reduce a projected deficit, ratified a tentative contract with the teachers—association and authorized staff to begin planning a district-run online school.

At the meeting district staff said the board—s three-year deficit-reduction plan set a FY27 target of about $2.7 million. That total includes proposed licensed-teacher reductions that district staff said amount to $1,691,551 and, by position count, would reduce staffing in areas including one full-time equivalent each in physical education, mathematics, English and science; seven elementary FTEs; three special education FTEs; and 1.8 K—8 specialist FTEs. Staff said the district sought to minimize impact by prioritizing vacancies, resignations and retirements where possible.

The board approved a resolution implementing the reductions and a separate companion resolution authorizing additions — including an increase of one FTE in special education based on student IEP needs. Following state-required procedure, the board then approved a resolution authorizing formal notifications of terminations and non-renewals to affected licensed staff; staff told the board that individuals had already been notified informally and that these steps were the formal statutory notifications.

Separately, the board approved a tentative multi-year agreement with the Bemidji Education Association for the 2025—26 and 2026—27 school years. District staff presented a summary of negotiated changes and said the agreement followed months of discussion. As part of that agreement the teachers—union agreed to return 2% of the staff development fund this year to help offset negotiated costs; the board approved that staff development fund transfer.

The board also approved several calendar adjustments: a revised 2025—26 calendar moving the last student day to May 29 and the last teacher day to June 1; modifications to the 2026—27 calendar (deleting a February staff development day, adding March 11 as a student contact day and moving some conferences to evenings); and a draft 2027—28 calendar aligned to the 2026—27 schedule.

On a separate motion the board voted to authorize staff to begin the process of creating a Bemidji-run online school. District leaders said the staff will return with regulatory steps, estimated seed costs (including devices) and periodic updates to the board before any final launch or enrollment decisions.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution approving licensed-position reductions: approved (motion and roll-call/voice vote; clerk recorded members as voting in the affirmative where named). - Resolution approving additions (including +1 special education FTE): approved (motion carried). - Resolution authorizing terminations/non-renewal notices (statutory process): approved (motion carried). - Approval of special education extended school year (ESY) program and hours: approved (motion carried). - Tentative agreement with Bemidji Education Association (2025—26 and 2026—27): approved (motion carried). - Staff development fund transfer (2% returned by teachers—union): approved (motion carried). - Revised 2025—26, 2026—27 and proposed 2027—28 calendars: approved (motions carried). - Authorization to begin planning a district-run online school: approved (motion carried).

What happens next

District staff said legally required notifications to impacted licensed staff will proceed and that the administration will return to the board with details on implementation, costs and timelines for the online school option and any other follow-up items. The tentative contract will move to ratification steps as specified by the agreement process.