The certified teachers in Thief River Falls recently voted to release $180,000 of their staff development funds to help cushion budget cuts, totaling about $500,000, but positions still might be cut.
The amount is three-quarters of the total staff development funds and is the single biggest area administrators and the School Board are focusing on, Superintendent Irving Peterson said.
"That's pretty significant for us," Peterson said. "We're extremely pleased with their cooperation."
State law requires 2 percent of basic state revenue be restricted for staff development, but that money can be released by a vote of certified staff and board members.
Even with that money, however, the district is looking at possibly reducing as many as four positions: the curriculum, assessment and staff development director; a vocational teaching position at Lincoln High School; one elementary teacher; and one part-time position at the middle school level.
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"We've got resignations in a couple of those areas," Peterson said, so they would just go unfilled.
The duties of the director would be reassigned to other administrators if that position is reduced, Peterson said.
Vocational classes at Lincoln include family and consumer science, industrial arts, agriculture and health careers. The cut could affect any one of those areas, he said.
The elementary teacher position might be in the second grade, as that class is a little smaller, Peterson said, but that will be up to the principals. The reduction would keep average class sizes in the mid-20s, he said.
The district employs about 360 people, 160 certified staff. The total budget is about $19 million.
The board has not discussed specific program cuts, Peterson said, adding that the staff reductions would reduce some programs.
"We're trying not to eliminate any programs completely," he said.
The district also will reduce technology spending, supplies and equipment, among other areas.
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Administrators cut about $400,000 last year from this year's budget, Peterson said.
"We're cutting a little more this year," he said.
The board's next meeting is March 23, and members might vote at that time, Peterson said. If board members are not ready to make the decision then, it will be done in April.
Cuts in other districts
Thief River Falls is not alone in its budget woes, as most Minnesota school districts cut large amounts from their budgets. Crookston and East Grand Forks both are looking at about $1 million in reductions, including staff.
Ada-Borup will cut about $400,000 of its $6 million budget, Superintendent Gerald Hansen said.
"We're looking at things we can get by without," he said.
The district might freeze vehicle purchases, along with reducing technology and equipment spending, he said. Administrators are trying to keep cuts out of the classroom.
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The staff has been looking at creative ways to save money because even small amounts can help, Hanson said.
"What seems small can start to add up," he said.
The district also will see a transportation savings from this year of about $10,000.
