In November 2018, the Sartell-St. Stephen School District operating levy vote failed. Funding from the Levy for Learning would have provided needed revenue for programming at all schools and the operational costs of a new high school. As a result of the failure, the school district must make budget adjustments (cuts and revenue) for the 2019-2020 school year.

The school board takes its fiduciary responsibility seriously and has declared in board policy that our General Fund balance (district savings account) will stay above 10%.  The District uses this fund balance to provide programming for students when expenditures have been greater than revenue.  Without budget adjustments, the District's budget will deficit spend by $1,750,000 in 2019-20 causing the fund balance to fall below 10%.

The school board has directed the administrative team to present expense reductions or revenue increases of at least $1.25 million.

Even with the budget adjustments suggested, the District anticipates deficit spending for the 2019-2020 school year by approximately $500,000. This means we will utilize more of our general fund balance but still keep the balance within the 10% policy guideline.  

These budgetary adjustments are painful but are necessary in light of our current budget situation. The Sartell-St. Stephen School District has a strong academic reputation and we do not want these reductions to have a significant impact on students. Our school district also has a long tradition of making do, but we must have additional revenue to continue our tradition of excellence.

To meet this need, the School Board will be studying another operational levy vote for the fall of 2019.

All reductions are from the General Fund and are spread throughout the district including activities, transportation, K-12, administration and technology.

• Estimated 10% class size increase
• Implementing up to a 2 mile walk zone
• Leasing District Service Center
• Reduce Middle School activities & athletics