Grand Forks School Board Explores Options to Address $4.4 Million Deficit
On November 7, 2023, the Grand Forks School Board convened for a retreat focused on strategies to address a significant budget deficit of **$4.4 million** projected for the **2025-2026** school year. The retreat, held at the Career Impact Academy, gathered over **30** participants, including board members, administrators, and school leaders, to discuss various cost-cutting measures.
Among the proposals considered were the potential combination of elementary schools and reductions in support staff. The district’s Associate Superintendent of Secondary Education, **Catherine Gillach**, emphasized that all budgetary options were on the table: “None of these concepts will remain untouched, and there’s nothing that is considered kind of sacred,” she stated. This approach reflects the urgent need for financial realignment in light of the district’s ongoing fiscal challenges.
Proposed Measures to Address the Deficit
The board discussed **12** different cost reduction strategies aimed at mitigating the deficit. These proposals included decreasing diverse course offerings, increasing class sizes, and reducing investments in curriculum and extracurricular activities. Additionally, there were suggestions to reduce employee compensation and classified staff, along with the potential closure or combination of certain school buildings.
A notable idea was the consolidation of elementary schools into designated campuses for specific grade levels. Superintendent **Terry Brenner** identified possible pairings: **Winship Elementary** with **Wilder Elementary** and **Lewis and Clark Elementary** with **Phoenix Elementary**. This strategy aims to enhance budget efficiency, optimize staffing, and improve student support services.
During discussions, **Kevin Ohnstad**, Principal of Phoenix Elementary School, highlighted the implications such changes would have on school leadership, requiring careful consideration of staff expertise and assignment to match grade-level needs. He noted, “Think about the emotions that are going to go along with that. The whole idea and theory of combining classrooms is complex.”
Impact on Personnel and Community Engagement
The potential reduction of certified and classified support staff emerged as a significant point of concern. Gillach reported that personnel costs currently account for **87%** of the district’s budget. With the remaining **13%** already tightly constrained, staff cuts appear inevitable. “We know that there are going to be individuals that we love, that do an amazing job in their current role, that are going to be impacted by this,” Gillach remarked, indicating the difficult decisions ahead.
Conversely, reducing staff salaries was largely dismissed as an option. School Board member **Eric Lunn** pointed out the detrimental effects of unhappy staff on educational outcomes. He confirmed, “There is no way that we can decrease compensation,” emphasizing the importance of competitive salaries for staff retention and mental health.
While no definitive decisions were made during the retreat, the discussions will inform future choices as the district continues its budget realignment process. The Grand Forks Public Schools District has created a dedicated website to facilitate public engagement, allowing community members to provide feedback and follow updates on the budget discussions.
District Business Manager **Brandon Baumbach** characterized the budget realignment process as a philosophical journey that reflects the district’s educational priorities. As deliberations continue, the impact on students, staff, and the wider community remains a central concern for board members and administrators alike.
