Budgeting for the 2021-22 school year was the main item on the USD 253 Board of Education’s recent agenda Wednesday evening.
The board held its third study session on the matter which included a five-year look back at multiple areas of spending including salary packages, “new positions” and student enrollment within district buildings. The review was triggered by the district “eating into” reserve funds over the past several years due to a combination of mandatory transfers, a decline in district weightings and an increase in staffing.
The study session concluded with a summarization of measures that have been taken to plan for the 2021-22 school year. Among the measures will be a reduction in one full-time employment position per district building next year.
USD 253 Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations Rob Scheib wished to assure all district staff that this course of action will not result in the termination of any current district employees.
Scheib says the district is currently hoping to get the general fund back to where it was in 2008 by next year. He says the district is anticipating an increase in state funding over the next two years that will assist in those efforts.
In other business, Superintendent Allison Anderson-Harder presented a brief COVID-19 update. The update comes as the district prepares to fully welcome back all non-remote students next Monday.
Dr. Anderson-Harder says reports from building principals indicate staff are looking forward to having students back in classrooms on a regular basis.
Additionally Wednesday, the district announced the hiring of Joy McGhee as the new Principal of Maynard Early Childhood Center for the 2021-22 school year.
The USD 253 Board of Education will next meet Wednesday, Apr. 14 at 7 pm.
