Grand Forks school leaders engaged in a critical discussion on December 12, 2023, about potential budget cuts to address a significant deficit of $4.4 million projected for the 2025-2026 academic year. During a retreat attended by over 40 district officials, including administrators, staff, teachers, and School Board members, various strategies were proposed to realign the district’s budget.
This meeting marked the fourth of five retreats intended to address financial challenges facing the Grand Forks School District. The leaders explored combining elementary schools, cutting low-enrollment courses, and reducing student technology services as part of their budgetary priorities. They acknowledged the difficulty of these decisions, emphasizing the necessity of balancing fiscal responsibility with academic support.
Ali Parkinson, Principal of Discovery Elementary, articulated the collective sentiment among school leaders, stating, “All of us principals have noted that our preference would not be to eliminate any of these things.” The group agreed that any cuts must focus on maintaining academic support and sustainability.
Proposed Strategies for Budget Cuts
Several strategies emerged during the discussions, categorized into revenue-generating ideas and cost-reduction proposals. On the revenue side, leaders considered implementing fees for general education busing, increasing athletic fees, and charging students from outside the district for enrollment in the Career Impact Academy. These measures aim to enhance the district’s financial resources.
Conversely, the proposed cost-reduction strategies included:
– **Combining Elementary Schools**: School leaders discussed the possibility of merging elementary schools into K-2 and 3-5 structures. Kevin Ohnstad, Principal of Phoenix Elementary, presented this concept but noted that many elementary leaders oppose it due to concerns about eroding neighborhood schools. He highlighted potential benefits such as improved collaboration among teachers and reduced staffing costs, but also warned of challenges, including community backlash and logistical issues.
– **Cutting Low-Enrollment Courses**: Kris Arason, Principal of Red River High School, proposed eliminating elective classes with fewer than 15 students enrolled. He assured board members that core courses necessary for graduation would remain intact, stating, “We don’t want to take away those high-level opportunities from kids.”
– **Reducing Graduation Credits**: Arason suggested that the district might consider lowering the required credits for graduation from 24 to 22, aligning with state requirements. He indicated that such a change could be necessary if course cuts limit classroom availability.
– **Adjusting Technology Services**: The district’s IT manager, Darin King, discussed the financial implications of maintaining a one-to-one device ratio for students. He recommended transitioning to a one-to-two or one-to-three ratio, which could reduce annual upkeep costs from $247,000 to $123,500 for grades three through eight. King stressed the importance of ensuring that any technology policies are sustainable.
In addition to the above strategies, leaders also considered the possibility of cutting elementary intramural sports, reducing online course participation, and pausing curriculum adoptions.
Financial Impact and Next Steps
To illustrate the potential financial impact of these strategies, Business Manager Brandon Baumbach presented a range of savings estimates, totaling between $4.4 million and $5.34 million. Specific proposals and their projected savings included:
– Decreasing district-level support services: $544,000 – $655,000
– Closing or combining buildings: $319,000 – $398,000
– Decreasing classified staff: $859,000 – $1,050,000
– Decreasing investments in educational technology: $253,000 – $309,000
– Decreasing certified staff: $791,000 – $967,000
The meeting concluded without any formal action. Board members discussed the possibility of holding a special meeting in early January to gather public input before making final decisions. The district has encouraged community members to visit the budget realignment section of its website for further information and to voice their concerns.
As the Grand Forks School District navigates these challenging financial times, the priority remains clear: to maintain the quality of education while addressing the pressing budgetary constraints.
