The next School Board meeting is Tuesday, February 9 beginning at 5:00 pm. This is a Study Session. Full agenda at link and in photo. http://go.boarddocs.com/mn/rps535/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BW4VDJ802A4F
The focus of the study session is for the School Board to receive information about a pre-referendum survey and key decision points and timelines to consider before having further discussions on referendum options.
Why is the school board talking about a referendum? ▶At a School Board study session on January 12, 2021, the District’s five-year general fund financial forecast was discussed. ▶For the 2021-22 school year, it appears there will not need to be significant budget adjustments. There will be some budget adjustments just like in any “normal” year where the number of staff is adjusted proportionately up or down to the number of students enrolled. ▶For the 2022-23 school year, the forecast predicts the need for significant budget adjustments (current estimate = $13 million). Part of this is because State Aid is not expected to go up more than 1% (it could also stay flat or possibly go up 2%) and part of this is because the District does not know how many students will return from homeschool and private school after the 2020-2021 school year. In addition, there will be new fixed costs to operate four new schools that come online fully in the fall of 2022.
The administration suggested that the School Board look at the mechanics and impacts of an operating referendum to provide more general fund operating revenue and/or a capital project levy to provide more general fund technology revenue. No recommendation about a referendum is being made at this time by the administration or the School Board.
The meeting will be "virtual" - watch online at www.youtube.com/ISD535. According to School Board Policy 203.05, items may be added to the agenda by a motion adopted at the meeting.
Upcoming Meetings February 16, 2021, 5:30 pm - Regular School Board Meeting February 23, 2021, 5:00 pm - School Board Retreat: School Board Self-Evaluation Results/Plan