00:50One notable issue at the meeting was the proposed budget cuts impacting the social studies department, which sparked significant public commentary. Jessica Flossy, a dedicated social studies teacher at Grand Rapids High School, expressed her deep concerns about the potential 0.6 full-time equivalent reduction in her department. She emphasized that the removal of the Economics course undermines its importance in providing students with a comprehensive civic education. Flossy argued that economics is important for understanding societal systems and resource distribution, which are foundational for students to become informed citizens. She stated, “It feels as though my expertise, my dedication, and my years of service in this District are being devalued and underappreciated.” She urged the board to invest in social studies rather than diminish its role in the curriculum.

04:46Following Flossy, another social studies teacher, Elise Sperling Anderson, raised additional concerns regarding the impact of increased class sizes on student learning. Anderson highlighted the challenges of teaching ninth graders, especially with a high number of students requiring special education support. She questioned the decision-making process that led to the proposed cuts, expressing skepticism about why administrative roles appeared unaffected while teaching positions were at risk. Anderson also inquired whether these positions could be reinstated if additional funding became available.

08:21The board also heard from Troy Gunderson, an English teacher with 15 years of experience in the district. Gunderson emphasized the cumulative impact of the proposed budget cuts, noting that the district could potentially face a loss of 43.2 teaching positions since budget reductions began. He lamented the loss of time, a vital resource for teachers, which affects their ability to create engaging lessons and provide meaningful feedback to students. Gunderson cited a statistic that nearly 70% of teachers have considered leaving the profession.

01:07:39In addition to the budget cuts, the board discussed a Safe Routes to School Boost Grant aimed at promoting walking and biking to school. The grant would fund a part-time coordinator and provide eight adaptive bikes. The board approved the grant, which totals $27,800 for one year.

01:11:58A significant infrastructure project at RJE Middle School was also presented, involving the construction of a new parking lot under the Safe Routes to School initiative. The grant allocated $469,000 for this project; however, the lowest bid for construction exceeded this amount, creating a $28,000 shortfall. The board considered using restricted funds from prior years’ long-term facilities maintenance to cover the deficit. Concerns were raised about the reliability of engineering estimates and potential cost overruns, leading the board to defer the motion until further clarifications could be obtained.

01:43:03The board also explored leadership contracts in community education, approving the addition of Hill City as a new district partner. This partnership aims to share leadership costs across more districts, thereby reducing expenses for existing partners like Greenway, Deer River, and Nashwauk-Keewatin. The inclusion of Hill City was seen as a strategic move to enhance community education programs and broaden engagement.

46:01Superintendent Matt Grose provided insights into the district’s financial management, highlighting a positive review from financial audits and a stable outlook from Standard & Poor’s. The district’s fund balance had increased to approximately 10.2% in fiscal year 24, a critical factor in maintaining operational stability and cash flow.

01:28:11The meeting concluded with discussions on policy updates and upcoming school events. The board approved changes to policies 413 and 512 in response to legislative changes and adopted policy 624 concerning online learning. There was also an update on a field trip that had been adjusted due to travel advisories, with students now focusing on Greece instead of Italy and Greece.