Grand Forks school and district leaders convened on December 12, 2023, to explore potential budget cuts in response to a projected deficit of $4.4 million for the 2025-2026 school year. During a recent School Board retreat, over 40 participants, including district administrators, teachers, and board members, engaged in discussions about how to prioritize financial resources while maintaining educational standards.
As part of a series of planned retreats, this meeting was the fourth in a five-session series aimed at realigning the district’s budget. The leaders acknowledged the inherent challenges and discomfort in deciding where to make cuts, yet they emphasized the need for a pragmatic approach to sustain essential academic programs.
Ali Parkinson, principal of Discovery Elementary, articulated the sentiment of many in attendance, stating, “All of us principals have noted that our preference would not be to eliminate any of these things.” The discussions centered on what could be feasibly supported academically while also considering the long-term sustainability of educational offerings.
Proposed Budget Cuts and Revenue Generation Options
Leaders explored several strategies aimed at both cutting costs and generating revenue. Among the revenue-generating measures discussed were implementing fees for general education busing, increasing athletic fees, and charging students from other districts for enrollment in courses at the Career Impact Academy.
On the cost-reduction side, the discussions included the possibility of combining elementary schools into two larger buildings serving grades K-2 and 3-5. Kevin Ohnstad, principal at Phoenix Elementary, presented this idea but noted significant opposition from elementary school leaders, who argued that such a move could undermine neighborhood schools and create logistical challenges for families.
“There are some efficiencies and there’s some fiscal responsibility added to this concept,” Ohnstad acknowledged, though he expressed a preference for delaying any changes until the 2027-2028 school year to allow for community adjustment.
Another significant area of focus was the potential reduction of elective courses at Red River High School. Principal Kris Arason indicated that classes with historically low enrollment—typically fewer than 15 students—might be targeted for cuts. He assured board members that core graduation requirements would remain unchanged, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high-level opportunities for students.
Additionally, Arason proposed revising the district’s graduation credit requirements. Currently, the state mandates 22 credits, while Grand Forks requires 24 credits. This adjustment could help accommodate students in a tighter classroom environment should cuts be enacted.
Technology and Extracurricular Adjustments
The district’s reliance on technology was also a point of discussion. Darin King, the district’s IT manager, suggested transitioning from a one-to-one device ratio to a one-to-two or one-to-three ratio. This change could significantly decrease annual costs related to technology upkeep, reducing expenses from $247,000 to $123,500 for grades three through eight.
In addition to these measures, leaders considered cutting elementary intramural sports, reducing the number of students enrolled in online courses, and pausing curriculum adoptions for elementary schools. These proposals reflect a broader effort to evaluate every facet of the district’s spending in order to address the budget challenges.
District Business Manager Brandon Baumbach provided a financial analysis to quantify the potential savings from these proposed changes. The projected savings ranged from $4.4 million to $5.34 million, with specific areas of potential reduction including classified staff, educational technology investments, and extracurricular programs.
While no official decisions were made during the retreat, board members agreed to schedule a special meeting in early January to gather public input before finalizing any budgetary changes. The district encouraged community members to visit the budget realignment section of their website for further information.
The ongoing discussions reflect the complex dynamics of balancing academic integrity with financial realities. As Grand Forks navigates these challenges, the focus remains on finding sustainable solutions that prioritize the educational needs of students while addressing the district’s fiscal responsibilities.
