Board hears SOD recovery plan emphasizing staffing, schedule and efficiency changes

The Kenyon-Wanamingo School District board heard a multi-pronged plan to eliminate statutory operating debt that would combine staff reductions, transportation changes, program efficiencies and schedule changes for secondary students.

“The overall goal of this is to minimize impact on the student experience,” the superintendent said while describing the approach, which also envisions a potential move to a trimester schedule at the secondary level and a memorandum of agreement with the teachers’ association to adjust prep time and the daily schedule. The presenters said the detailed, statutorily required staff reduction plan will be brought back to the board in March.

Finance director Dawn cautioned that several external factors remain uncertain and could affect the outlook: the state’s revenue projection model is showing an estimated $67,000 reduction next year and special education funding appears likely to decline. She said the state’s projection figures have been fluid and that agency guidance from the NDE and the head of special education is still evolving. “They’re being difficult when it comes to special ed revenue,” Dawn said, describing ongoing discussions at the state level.

Board members did not take formal action on the SOD plan at this meeting; staff were directed to return with a detailed implementation plan, including any necessary memoranda of agreement and schedule amendments, for board consideration in March.