Grand Forks school and district leaders engaged in significant discussions on December 12, 2023, regarding potential budget cuts to address a projected deficit of $4.4 million for the 2025-2026 academic year. The meeting, part of a series of retreats aimed at budget realignment, brought together over 40 participants, including administrators, teachers, and School Board members, to prioritize financial strategies.
During the retreat, leaders evaluated various options for budget cuts, which included the possibility of combining elementary schools, reducing course offerings, and scaling back student technology services. Ali Parkinson, Principal of Discovery Elementary, articulated the discomfort surrounding these discussions, emphasizing the need to balance academic support with financial sustainability. “All of us principals have noted that our preference would not be to eliminate any of these things,” Parkinson stated.
Proposals for Budget Reductions
The meeting featured multiple proposals aimed at either increasing revenue or cutting costs. On the revenue side, leaders discussed implementing fees for general education busing, raising athletic fees, and charging out-of-district students for courses at the Career Impact Academy.
Among the cost-cutting measures, one significant proposal involved combining elementary schools into K-2 and 3-5 structures. Kevin Ohnstad, Principal of Phoenix Elementary, presented this concept, though he noted that it faced resistance from elementary school leaders. “We do not support this concept as an elementary group,” Ohnstad stated, citing concerns about community backlash and the potential disruption for families and students.
Despite the opposition, he acknowledged potential benefits, such as improved collaboration among teachers and reduced staffing costs. Ohnstad suggested that if the board decides to pursue this option, the implementation should be delayed until the 2027-2028 school year to allow for adequate planning.
Another proposal from Kris Arason, Principal of Red River High School, focused on cutting elective courses with low enrollment. Arason assured the board that essential classes required for graduation would remain intact, stating, “We don’t want to take away those high-level opportunities from kids just like we don’t want to take the support classes away from students.” He indicated that any reductions in elective courses would not take effect until the 2026-2027 school year.
Technology and Extracurricular Adjustments
In addition to course reductions, Darin King, the district’s IT manager, addressed the financial implications of maintaining a one-to-one ratio of electronic devices for students. He suggested transitioning to a one-to-two or one-to-three ratio, which could significantly reduce annual maintenance costs from $247,000 to $123,500.
Further discussions included cutting elementary intramural sports, reducing the number of students enrolled in online courses, and halting new curriculum adoptions. Brandon Baumbach, the district’s Business Manager, presented a range of potential savings, estimating that the proposed measures could save between $4.4 million and $5.34 million.
Specific projected savings included:
– Decreasing district-level support services: $544,000 to $655,000
– Closing or combining buildings: $319,000 to $398,000
– Reducing classified staff: $859,000 to $1,050,000
– Decreasing investments in educational technology: $253,000 to $309,000
No official decisions were made during the retreat, as the focus was on discussion rather than action. Board members plan to hold a special meeting in early January to gather public feedback before finalizing any measures. Community members are encouraged to visit the budget realignment section of the district’s website for additional information and to voice their concerns.
