As a result of the unfunded mandates and the lack of adequate funding from the state, our school district is again facing difficult decisions about where to make budget cuts. The reality is that we simply do not have enough resources to fully implement all the new state requirements while also maintaining the high-quality educational programs and extracurricular activities that our community has come to expect. I have never understood how the state can and would continue to require schools to implement unfunded mandates. It forces us to find other areas to cut.
It is certainly a difficult situation, but I am thankful that we are doing as well as we are. At a recent conference, there was a session offered on S.O.D. (statutory operating debt) for superintendents. To be in S.O.D. the district needs to be at a negative 2.5% fund balance. To my knowledge, this is the first time they had ever offered a session like this at the conference. Last year, there were three districts in S.O.D. and this year there are seven. The projections show that at least 21 districts will be in S.O.D. the next school year. I believe this is a strong indicator of the negative impact that unfunded mandates are having on our schools.
A situation that compounds this situation is declining enrollment. The number of students that are enrolled in your district has a direct impact on the amount of funding that you receive. The last couple of years our Kindergarten class has been around 50, and we are graduating close to 70. This is a reduction of 20 students each year. Losing close to 40 students in a two-year period is a loss of about $280,000 in revenue.
The biggest expense for any school district is staffing. It comprises about 85% of our total budget. So, when you look at making changes, the first thing you need to look at is reducing your staff. Over the years, we have made several changes in our staffing to reflect the changes that we have seen in enrollment. This has helped us reduce our overall expenses, but as you all know all the other expenses that we have are also increasing at a rate that exceeds any adjustments we have had in revenue. It creates a very difficult situation that ultimately requires reductions and cuts.
As a community, we must come together to advocate for our schools and demand that the state fulfill its funding obligations. Our students deserve access to a well-rounded, high-quality education that prepares them for success. But achieving that vision requires adequate and consistent resources - something our district is lacking as we rely on funding from the State of Minnesota. A quick email or note to your local legislative representatives goes a long way to helping them understand the impact of their decisions.
We made reductions of about $450,000 a couple of years ago and are looking to do about the same in preparation for the next school year. I just want our community to know we are addressing these concerns, and I am glad that we have been able to continue to provide an excellent education for our students. As I am near retirement, I do worry about the future of funding for schools and hope for the day that the state fully funds the mandates that they require.
Please reach out to me with any questions you may have regarding our school district. You can email me at schlich@triton.k12.mn.us or call me at 507-418-7530 to reach me at the district office. I would be happy to set up a time to meet with you or your organization. Communication is an important part of my job responsibility, and I welcome the opportunity to gain insight from your perspective.
Go Cobras!
#WeAreTriton
