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Beloit board adopts preliminary budget cuts and votes to relocate Beloit Learning Academy to Memorial High School
Summary
The Beloit School District board approved a preliminary 2026–27 base reduction plan and, in a 4–3 vote, agreed to relocate the Beloit Learning Academy into Beloit Memorial High School as a school‑within‑a‑school while preserving BLA as an option.
The Beloit School District board on June 23 approved a preliminary base reduction plan for the 2026–27 school year and voted 4–3 to relocate the district’s alternative program, Beloit Learning Academy (BLA), to Beloit Memorial High School.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Gordon told the board the district needs to “reach a consensus on a budget proposal that reduces the annual budget by 5 plus million dollars” and outlined a base‑reduction summary totaling about $4,073,616. She said administrators were trying to minimize use of OPEB and fund‑balance accounts as the board finalizes decisions.
Public commenters urged caution about moving BLA. Ashley, a teacher at BLA, told the board the program serves students who “often need an educational environment that better matches their needs” and asked that the board weigh student attendance, engagement and graduation outcomes alongside facility and cost savings. Jody Jackson, assistant principal who works both at the high school and BLA, said she had a unique perspective in both settings and warned that placing the BLA population inside a standard high school could undermine the specialized supports those students rely on.
Board members debated the timing and location of a relocation. Supporters said moving BLA would produce immediate—though not complete—budget relief and could be done in stages; opponents said the district should take more time to plan so students are moved only once and supports are guaranteed. Dr. Gordon recommended against eliminating BLA as a program, saying removal could prompt vulnerable students to drop out.
The motion to move BLA to Beloit Memorial High School was made by Carol Fox and seconded by Bill Johnson. The roll call recorded the following outcome: Carol Fox—Aye; Bill Johnson—Aye; Joanne Ryu—Nay; Tom Hankins—Aye; Megan Miller—Nay; Dan Shuth—No; Tia Johnson—Aye. The motion passed 4–3.
The vote to approve the district’s preliminary base reduction plan came earlier in the meeting and the board labeled the adopted document as preliminary; Dr. Gordon said the district will continue to refine line items through October’s budget hearing when state figures are finalized.
What happens next: The board directed administration to implement the approved preliminary budget changes and to return with additional detail and any required redeployment plans. The board also asked for a comprehensive space‑utilization study to inform longer‑term decisions about school closures, reconfigurations and program placements.
