Grand Forks School Leaders Discuss Budget Cuts Amid $4.4 Million Deficit

Leaders within the Grand Forks School District convened on December 12, 2023, to explore potential budget cuts as the district faces a significant deficit of **$4.4 million** for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. During a retreat attended by more than 40 administrators, teachers, and School Board members, discussions revolved around several cost-saving measures, including combining elementary schools, reducing course offerings, and cutting back on student technology services.

This meeting marked the fourth of five retreats aimed at realigning the district’s budget. The atmosphere was charged with the understanding that tough decisions lie ahead. Ali Parkinson, the principal of Discovery Elementary, expressed the collective hesitation among school leaders, stating, “All of us principals have noted that our preference would not be to eliminate any of these things.”

Exploring Revenue Generation and Cost Reduction

During the discussions, district leaders considered strategies that could generate revenue alongside proposals for reducing expenses. Options for increasing revenue included the introduction of fees for general education busing, higher athletic fees, and charging out-of-district students for enrollment in specialized courses at the **Career Impact Academy**.

On the expenditure side, the following concepts were presented:

– **Combining Elementary Schools**: Kevin Ohnstad, principal at Phoenix Elementary, shared a proposal to merge elementary schools into K-2 and 3-5 buildings. While he acknowledged potential financial efficiencies, he highlighted the general opposition from elementary school leaders who expressed concerns about community backlash and the impact on students and families. “We do not support this concept as an elementary group,” Ohnstad said.

– **Cutting Low Enrollment Courses**: Kris Arason, principal of **Red River High School**, suggested reducing elective classes that traditionally see low enrollment. He assured the board that core graduation requirements would remain intact, emphasizing that classes necessary for graduation would not be on the chopping block. “We don’t want to take away those high-level opportunities from kids,” Arason noted.

– **Adjusting Graduation Requirements**: Arason further proposed that the district consider lowering the credit requirement for graduation from **24 to 22 credits**, which aligns with state standards. This adjustment, he argued, might be necessary to accommodate potential class reductions.

– **Altering Technology Services**: Darin King, the district’s IT manager, raised concerns about the sustainability of a one-to-one device ratio for students. He proposed transitioning to a one-to-two or one-to-three ratio, which could significantly reduce annual upkeep costs from **$247,000 to $123,500** for grades three through eight.

Financial Implications and Future Steps

The discussions also touched on various other cost-saving measures, including cutting elementary intramural sports and reducing staff at the **Mark Sanford Education Center**. To help quantify the potential financial impacts, district Business Manager **Brandon Baumbach** provided estimates indicating that the proposed cuts could yield savings ranging from **$4.4 million to $5.34 million**. The breakdown 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 investments: **$142,000 – $173,000**
– Reducing certified staff: **$791,000 – $967,000**

No official decisions were made during the retreat, as the focus remained on gathering input and discussing potential strategies. Board members are planning to hold a special meeting in early January to allow for public comments before final decisions are reached. For those seeking more information, district leaders encouraged the public to visit the budget realignment section on the district’s website.

As the Grand Forks School District grapples with its budgetary challenges, the conversations taking place now will shape the future of educational offerings and resources available to its students.