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NB Board approves budget cuts |
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By Patrick Tepoorten
At a special meeting on April 24, the North Branch School Board approved over $2.9 million in reductions to the 2008 - 09 budget, but not without consternation.
Board Clerk Donna Hubbard became visibly upset by the reductions, which, on top of affecting facilities and activities, will result in the loss of employee work hours equivalent to 48 full-time positions.
Since mid-April, some changes have been made regarding how the district will address the projected shortfall. An $11,700 donation will allow the district to maintain the high school’s Medical Careers Exploration, and many activity reductions were scratched in favor of increasing activity fees for students. Fees for the first two activities will see increases, and instead of the third activity being free, it will now be available at a reduced rate.
The creation of a third activity fee may cause issues next year, according to high school track coach Brian Hasleiet, who took an impromptu survey of the track team. He said that 16 of the 30 would not play a third season were there a fee involved.
Another proposed reduction was discarded, curbing middle school activity practices by one per week, when the district was informed by the North Branch Education Association (NBEA) that the reduction in practices, and therefore activity salaries, would have to be bargained. Superintendent Deb Henton expressed regret that the district and NBEA were unable to come to terms on the proposed reduction, and suggested that approving the reduction could result in potential legal fees for the district.
With an eye toward future budgets, the district plans to contact the Chisago Lakes School District to inquire about savings realized from hiring a private company to bus students. As well, a transportation consultant will be brought in to insure the district is handling busing in the most efficient manner possible.
Henton urged the board to approve the reductions quickly, as so many district employees will be affected.
In approving the proposed reductions, Board Chairperson Kim Salo asked that the board and the district get past the frustrations that have accompanied the process. “It’s time to move on,” she said.
In other news:
• The board proceeded with plans to explore putting an operating referendum on the ballot in the fall of 2009. Thus far, a subcommittee has interviewed four referendum planning consultants, with another yet to occur.
The district has been advised to make good use of surveys and other data to strategically plan for the referendum, and to have both a district campaign and a parent group campaign.
• The working session normally scheduled for the fourth Thursday of each month has been moved for May. It will take place on May 15, at 7 p.m., at the Main Street School.
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