Kenyon-Wanamingo board approves broad FY2026 staffing reductions to close budget gap

The Kenyon-Wanamingo School District board voted through a series of personnel reductions and spending trims intended to close a projected FY2026 budget shortfall, approving multiple changes that the administration said would produce immediate and next-year savings.

Among the actions the board approved were shifting 0.5 FTE of the elementary principalship away from the superintendent's shared duties (listed savings of $70,001.52), eliminating a 1.0 FTE dean of students position (savings $68,006), and targeted cuts including a secretary (about $49,000), custodial hours (about $40,009.37), and a 1.2 FTE tech assistant (about $13,236). Several motions passed unanimously, while a small number of items recorded abstentions where noted. Chair announced the personnel report approval with an abstention recorded on one item.

Board members framed the package as difficult but necessary. One member who spoke in favor of advancing the cuts said the board must move now to reach the district's fiscal target: "I really have to get us through to September 30," the board member said, urging the board to secure every available dollar for the upcoming fiscal year. The board also approved a motion to accept the revised budget-adoption policy in a final reading, part of the broader process to finalize FY2026 finances.

The board's motions list identified individual savings per position and department; staff noted some figures will be revised to reflect retirements and final payroll calculations before changes take effect. Several cuts are scheduled to take effect at different dates (for example, one buildings-and-grounds adjustment begins October 1), and the administration said it would return updated totals when retirements and enrollment confirmations are finalized.