In a critical meeting held on December 12, 2023, Grand Forks school and district leaders gathered to explore budgetary cuts in light of a projected deficit of $4.4 million for the 2025-2026 academic year. During the School Board retreat, over 40 participants, including administrators, teachers, and board members, engaged in discussions focused on potential strategies to realign the budget.
The retreat marked the fourth of five planned sessions aimed at addressing the district’s financial challenges. Participants acknowledged the discomfort associated with potential cuts but emphasized the necessity of making informed decisions about the future. Principal of Discovery Elementary, Ali Parkinson, articulated the sentiment shared by many, stating, “All of us principals have noted that our preference would not be to eliminate any of these things.” The focus remained on sustainability and academic support.
Proposed Budget Cuts and Revenue Generation Strategies
Options discussed included both cost reductions and revenue-generating ideas. On the revenue side, leaders suggested implementing fees for general education busing, increasing athletic fees, and charging students from other districts for enrollment in specific courses at the Career Impact Academy.
On the expense reduction front, several significant proposals emerged. One major consideration involved the potential combination of elementary schools into K-2 and 3-5 configurations. Principal Kevin Ohnstad expressed concerns from the elementary school community, highlighting potential backlash and challenges related to sibling splits and additional transitions for students. Nonetheless, he noted some advantages of combining schools, such as improved grade-level collaboration and fiscal efficiency.
Another key discussion point focused on reducing courses with traditionally low enrollment. Principal Kris Arason highlighted the need to maintain essential graduation-required classes while suggesting cuts to elective courses with fewer than 15 students. He assured attendees that support classes and Advanced Placement options would remain intact, emphasizing the district’s commitment to providing high-level opportunities for students.
Technology Costs and Further Recommendations
The retreat also addressed the financial implications of the district’s one-to-one technology initiative. District IT Manager Darin King proposed a shift to a one-to-two or one-to-three device ratio for students in grades three through eight. This adjustment could reduce annual upkeep costs from $247,000 to $123,500, although it raised questions about the sustainability of current technology policies.
Further suggestions included cutting elementary intramural sports, reducing the number of online course participants, and pausing curriculum adoptions for elementary schools. The district’s Business Manager, Brandon Baumbach, provided a projected range of potential savings, estimating that the proposed changes could result in reductions of between $4.4 million and $5.34 million.
Specific areas identified for savings included:
– Decreasing district-level support services: $544,000 – $655,000
– Closing or combining buildings: $319,000 – $398,000
– Reducing classified staff: $859,000 – $1,050,000
– Cutting investments in educational technology: $253,000 – $309,000
– Decreasing extracurricular offerings: $142,000 – $173,000
No formal actions were taken during the retreat; discussions are ongoing. Board members are considering a special meeting in early January to gather public input before making final decisions. For further information, community members are encouraged to visit the budget realignment section on the district’s website.
