The board explored the potential for a substantial increase in member compensation, with proposals suggesting a rise to $10,000 annually, and a further increase to $12,000 the following year. This increase aims to address the barriers faced by candidates who may be deterred by the time commitment and low pay. Discussions included the potential for the board chair to receive an additional 10% in recognition of the increased responsibilities associated with the role. Members debated the practicality of implementing these changes within the district’s financial constraints, given the anticipated budget deficit and the ongoing challenge of aligning compensation with inflation and cost-of-living increases.

The board also considered various mechanisms for adjusting compensation, such as aligning increases with inflation or student enrollment figures, similar to practices in other districts. Comparisons were made to Rochester, where board pay could potentially triple based on per-student calculations.

In addition to compensation, the meeting addressed the district’s financial outlook, with projections indicating a $5 million deficit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year due to rising salaries and benefits, which make up a portion of the budget. The board anticipates a surplus for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, but the funding challenges remain, especially with state aid projected to grow modestly by only 2% for fiscal year 2025 and capped at 3% for 2026. This limited growth highlights the pressure on the district’s financial health, exacerbated by flat or slightly declining enrollment projections.

The meeting also included updates on construction projects and financial metrics. Assistant Superintendent Tyrone Brookens outlined the progression of design phases for elementary school projects slated to begin in January 2025, while Chris Blackburn, Director of Business Services, provided detailed financial insights. Blackburn discussed student enrollment numbers, which are slightly above budget projections, and emphasized the tight correlation between enrollment and funding. Each student generates approximately $1,859 in state aid and levies.

Superintendent Julie Nelson presented updates on policy revisions and district initiatives. The board reviewed and proposed the removal of three outdated policies, aligning with updates in Minnesota statutes. Nelson highlighted recent district events, including a successful job fair that resulted in the hiring of 14 paraprofessionals, and upcoming community engagement events such as parades and the South Washington County Schools Academy for new teachers.