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Sartell-St. Stephen district warns of $1 million shortfall as budget planning begins
Summary
Superintendent Michael Rivard told the school board the district faces an anticipated $1 million budget deficit for 2026–27 and is reviewing staffing and spending reductions while searching for revenue or cost-saving options.
Superintendent Michael Rivard told the Sartell-St. Stephen School Board on March 16 that planning for the 2026–2027 school year is underway and the district currently anticipates a roughly $1 million budget deficit.
Rivard said administration staff are identifying potential reductions and reviewing staffing adjustments to bring the budget into balance. He also reported that he spent time in St. Paul meeting with legislators to represent district priorities as several education bills are considered. The board received the finance report from Director of Business Joe Prom, who outlined current revenues and expenditures in the context of the deficit.
Board members pressed for timeline and options; committee discussions earlier in the meeting noted that the Finance & Personnel Committee reviewed staffing adjustments and a new bus contract as part of broader financial planning. The district did not adopt budget cuts at the meeting and did not identify specific programs targeted for reduction, saying additional analysis is underway.
