3/11/21 Work Session

Video (first 60 mins)

Work Session Notes

The school board received an update on the district’s current reality in the areas of enrollment and finance. As part of the worksession, board members learned that the district has lost 278 students - or about 3% of its total enrollment - this school year largely due to the pandemic. Districts across the state have seen enrollment declines of about 2% on average this year. The loss of enrollment means a loss in state funding for next year. 

New funding is being discussed at both the federal and state level that may help offset the loss of revenue expected for next year. Administration presented board members with two scenarios - a more favorable and a less favorable one - and suggested the final budget numbers will end up somewhere in the middle. In planning for next year’s budget, district leaders are working to match staffing to enrollment and make other adjustments as needed. They are also looking for efficiencies and cost savings where possible. The board also discussed possible referendum questions for the Fall 2021 election that could help address long-term funding issues, as well as facility needs. Additional conversations to narrow the focus on the referendum questions will be held in the coming weeks and months.