One item at the meeting was a comprehensive presentation on the revised fiscal year 2025 budget. Cam William Bach reviewed the revenue and expenditure summaries, emphasizing the importance of accurate financial forecasting. Key updates included a $200,000 decrease in property taxes, a $300,000 decline in local sources, and a $1.7 million adjustment in General Education Aid due to increased average daily membership figures. Bach also noted a $740,000 rise in special education aid, aligning projections with state estimates. Federal aid adjustments added $120,000, although future funding levels remained uncertain.

The board’s in-depth examination of the budget revealed several strategic shifts. Notably, the Student Activity fund was delineated as a separate item. Adjustments to the fiscal year 24 budget were significant, particularly a jump from $3.1 million to $5.5 million due to curriculum purchases mandated by the READ Act. The board also discussed a one-time $5 million transfer from long-term facilities maintenance to operating capital to avert deficit reporting, underlining the importance of legislative approvals for such financial maneuvers.

Special education services were another focal point, with updates on enrollment and service delivery. The district’s percentage of K-12 students receiving special education services rose to 16.22%, above the state average of 15.22%. The board scrutinized the high rate of speech and language services, noting the district served double the state average in this category. Members explored potential causes, such as increased screen time and reduced classroom communication, and emphasized the need for further analysis to understand these trends.

Discussions also covered the eligibility criteria for special education services, particularly the impact of speech difficulties on educational experiences. A request was made for a breakdown of special education services by building and the potential effects of a new reading program on speech-related cases. The implementation of the new reading curriculum, involving both English and Spanish instruction, was confirmed to begin around the third grade in Spanish Immersion programs.

Operational updates included the draft proposal for the 2025-2026 school district calendar, presented by Brenda Richmond. The proposal, developed with input from the Calendar Advisory Committee and staff feedback, featured several noteworthy changes. The school year would start after Labor Day to accommodate construction projects, and kindergarten would have a staggered start. The calendar also eliminated late start days for professional learning communities, opting instead for early dismissals before holidays. Parent-teacher conferences were moved to evenings to boost attendance, and the winter break remained at two weeks to facilitate transitions at Moorhead High School. The calendar incorporated three weather makeup days, with e-learning days used for initial snow closures.

The board also discussed the status of the athletic complex project, initially part of the construction budget but later unfunded due to prioritization of a community center with a pool. The project consists of multiple phases, with phase one completed and phase two underway, focusing on constructing softball fields. Bids for phase two returned 30% below estimates, and funding was secured through remaining construction dollars and the lease levy. The resolution to approve the base bid for phase two was passed, with phase three anticipated to be funded entirely by donations for a multi-sport facility.