by David Hill
Editor

Although it wasn’t the only subject discussed during the meeting of the Board of Education Thursday, members of the Board of Education left no doubt about what they believe is necessary. There will be a levy referendum next fall.

In his update to the Board of Education, Superintendent Chris Mills said the District can’t cut its way out of where they’re at.

The District anticipates that it will face a deficit of nearly $2.4 million. This will likely require the District to make new cuts to staffing in order the balance the budget and minimize deficit spending. In the past six years, the District has cut nearly $2.7 million or approximately 10 percent of its budget.

“It was a disappointing outcome,” said Mills, of the election results.

Administrative staff are already studying how to cut from the budget. Mills said that around mid-December they will propose budget reductions to the Finance Committee. By the end of January, he said they should let people know who will be cut from their positions. “We have to respect people, and let them know,” said Mills.

Mills also said they will probably engage a firm to examine the data from the recent vote. Following that, they will come forward with a levy referendum proposal.

When asked if he intends to have a Long-Term Planning Advisory Committee again, Mills said that it’s likely, adding that he hopes to keep members engaged in the process throughout the summer. He said the plan is to engage the committee in discussions in the spring. He said the District first needs to make some reductions to know where it stands financially.

Mills also said that rural school districts throughout Minnesota had a tough time. Only about 30% of the levy referendums proposed by rural districts passed. In an odd-year election, the result is usually much better.

Mike Spears, a member of the Board of Education, said it was his impression that voters were not so much opposed to the District as they were to high taxes. The levy referendum, he said, provided them the only place they have to vote no.

The Board of Education approved the final votes of the Nov. 7 election. On the first question, voters opposed the question 1,307 to 1,150. On the second question, voters opposed the question 1,478 to 965. On the third question, voters opposed the question 1,488 to 958.

Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Nov. 6. Among its recommendations to the Board of Education was a proposal to change the fund balance minimum from 10% to 15%, and the maximum from 20 to 25%.

An unreserved (unassigned) fund balance is maintained by all Districts in the state for financial stability, and to protect programs that are needed to serve children at times when revenues are uncertain.

• The Finance Commit-tee also recommended that activity worker compensation be adjusted to $20 per hour to align with other districts and be more competitive. This would start in 2024-25. These fees have not been adjusted in several years.

• The Committee reviewed the 2022-23 audit. The audit will presented to the Board of Education later.

• To establish fairness, the Finance Committee decided that the Backcourt Club will no longer be charged a fee for the use of district facilities. No other booster groups are currently charged.

Reconstruction of 150th Ave.
The Board of Education approved a “resolution of support for the reconstruction of 150th Ave. between CSAH 8 and CR 62 and reconstructing CR 62 to improve traffic flow and safety due to the significant increase in volume of traffic due to the traffic bypass, construction of the roundabout and elementary school traffic.”

Principals
The Board of Education approved a 2023-25 master agreement with the Thief River Falls Principals’ Association as negotiated.

Transportation is a privilege
The Board of Education approved a resolution urging the Legislature to maintain the status of school-provided transportation as a student privilege and not a student right.

Furthermore, MSBA urges the Legislature to not adopt any law that restricts a school district to provide a safe transportation for students and drivers and maintains the school district’s ability to discipline students in accordance with school district policies.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, in the board room of the District Service Center.