St. Cloud School Board Tackles Rising Health Insurance Costs and Overcrowding Issues

Overview: The recent St. Cloud School Board meeting was marked by discussions on rising health insurance costs and urgent overcrowding issues within the district’s schools. The board addressed the complexities of managing employee benefits amidst escalating premiums and debated strategies for alleviating student overcrowding, especially in elementary schools.

St. Cloud School Board Discusses Student Engagement, Sports Participation, and Superintendent’s Leadership

Overview: The recent St. Cloud School Board meeting focused on initiatives to enhance student engagement in activities and sports, address challenges in youth participation, and evaluate Superintendent Dr. Laurie Putnam’s leadership. Key discussions included community partnerships, the impact of declining sports participation, and the strategic direction of the district under Dr. Putnam’s guidance.

St. Cloud School Board Expands Early Childhood Programs Amid Budget Adjustments and Facility Plans

Overview: The St. Cloud School Board convened to discuss enhancements in early childhood education programs, budget revisions, facility maintenance, and policy updates. Central to the meeting was the approval of expanded early childhood services to address enrollment challenges, the revision of the 2024-2025 budget reflecting increased revenues, and the discussion of long-term facilities maintenance plans, including significant repairs and improvements.

St. Cloud School Board Tackles Homeless Student Needs Amidst Graduation Preparations

Overview: The St. Cloud School Board meeting on May 21, 2025, addressed issues impacting the district, including the challenges faced by homeless students, upcoming graduation ceremonies, and policy revisions. The meeting provided a platform for discussing the district’s efforts to ensure educational stability for homeless students while highlighting preparations for graduation events.

St. Cloud School Board Faces Budget Shortfalls Amid Proposed State Funding Changes

Overview: During a recent St. Cloud School Board meeting, the primary focus was on the district’s budgetary challenges, driven largely by proposed changes in state funding. Superintendent Laurie Putnam presented a detailed overview of the potential financial impact for the 2025-26 school year. A key issue discussed was the projected reduction in compensatory revenue, estimated at $485,000 under the current proposal, which threatens staffing for roles like interventionists and multilingual teachers. This decrease is part of a broader anticipated shortfall, including the expiration of $370,000 in one-time literacy aid and $250,000 in unfunded unemployment insurance costs.