Background
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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.
Balancing Our Budget - Recommendations
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Transportation
- Change in routing contract
- Reduction of two pm routes with bell time change
- Opt-in bussing Grades 9-12
Savings: $70,000
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Administrative
- Reduction of Supervisor of Building & Grounds
- Reduction of District Office Clerical position
- Reduction in contract for Associate Activities Director
- Administrative Cabinet Salary Freeze (4 positions)
Savings: $180,000
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Activities
- Reduction in overall budget
- Activities Fee Increases
- Facility Use Fee Increases
Savings: $15,000
Additional revenue: $150,000
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Custodial
- No increase in staffing at new high school/no use of current building
- ProFields reduction
Savings: $15,000
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Teacher Retirements
- Five teachers are retiring before the 2019-2020 school year
Savings: $270,000
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Certified Positions
- Elementary 2.0 FTE
- 4th grade (Pine Meadow Elementary) (1.0)
- 1st grade (Oak Ridge Elementary 1.0)
- Middle School 1.33 FTE
- Instructional Technology (.33)
- Classroom (1.0)
- High School - 2.0 FTE
- Instructional Technology (1.0)
- Classroom (1.0)
- District Wide .58 FTE
- Adaptive Physical Education
- English Learner
Savings: $350,000
- Elementary 2.0 FTE
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Non-Certified Support Staff
- Elementary Media Aide (2.0)
- Elementary Playground Supervision (16 hours/day)
- Reduction of Paraprofessionals (4.0)
- SHS Greeter (1.0)
- SHS Cafeteria Supervision (4 hours/day)
Savings: $222,500
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Technology
- Increase non-refundable deposit
- Instructional Technology reductions
Savings $6,000
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Curriculum and Non-Personnel
- Reduction of sub costs related to meetings
- Reduction of building non-personnel budgets
Savings: $60,000
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District Needs on Hold
- No Student/Staff Device Refresh
- No Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program
- No Fitness Center Supervision
- No Student-Run Business or Internship/Apprenticeship Experiences
- No Performing Arts Center/Auditorium Manager
- Some AP/College in the Schools classes will not be offered (Art, Comparative Government, Computer Science, Chemistry, Principles of Engineering
Savings $400,000
Long-Term Reduction/Revenue Possibilities
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- Estimated 10% class size increase
- Implementing up to a 2 mile walk zone
- Leasing District Service Center
- Reduce Middle School activities & athletics
March 4 Presentation: Budget Adjustment Recommendations
Contact Us
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Jeff Ridlehoover
Superintendent
Sartell-St. Stephen Schools
320-656-3715Joe Prom
Director of Business Services
320-656-3721
Media
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May 2019
Education funding increase not enough to solve Sartell's deficit
WJON - May 28, 2019 -
April 2019
Sartell board approves cuts that save Academic Extensions position, cut classroom teachers
St. Cloud Times - April 15, 2019Sartell-St. Stephen school board approves budget cuts
Sartell Newsleader - April 15, 2019Sartell-St. Stephen board agrees to $1.3M in cuts
WJON - April 15, 2019Sartell-St. Stephen school board will consider other budget cuts at Monday meeting
Sartell Newsleader - April 12, 2019School board votes against cuts
KNSI - April 9, 2019Sartell-St. Stephen school board votes down budget cut proposal
St. Cloud Times - April 8, 2019Sartell-St. Stephen school board set to vote on budget cuts
Sartell Newsleader - April 1, 2019 -
March 2019
Failed levy spurs Sartell teacher cuts, salary freezes, higher fees, less busing next year
St. Cloud Times - March 22, 2019Sartell discussing some tough options post-levy
WJON - March 6, 2019Sartell school board to hear district budget reduction recommendations Monday night
St. Cloud Times - March 3, 2019 -
February 2019
Sartell-St. Stephen school district to host learning session on school finance
Sartell Newsleader - February 8, 2019 -
January 2019
From schools to city operations, 5 changes to expect in Sartell in the new year
St. Cloud Times - January 4, 2019 -
December 2018
Sartell school board approves early retirement incentives for teachers ahead of deficits
St. Cloud Times - December 17, 2018Sartell school board will vote on incentives criteria for teachers looking to retire early
St. Cloud Times - December 12, 2018District holding listening sessions on school funding
KNSI - December 5, 2018 -
November 2018
After levy defeat, school board schedules community meetings
Sartell Newsleader - November 28, 2018District, new board members look forward after rejection of Sartell schools operating levy
St. Cloud Times - November 7, 2018Sartell-St. Stephen school levy defeated
Sartell Newsleader - November 7, 2018Election 2018: Superintendent reacts to failed levy question
WJON - November 7, 2018
Process & Timeline
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April 15, 2019
Regular Board Meeting - revised budget adjustments approvedApril 11, 2019
School Board Work Session to discuss budget adjustmentsApril 8, 2019
School Board Special Meeting to approve budget adjustments - no consensus reachedMarch 18, 2019
School Board Work Session to discuss budget adjustmentsMarch 11, 2019
School Board Work Session to discuss budget adjustmentsMarch 4-15, 2019
District Administrative team presents recommendations to staff at each school siteMarch 4, 2019
District Administrative team presents recommendations for budget reductions/revenue to the School BoardFebruary 19- March 1, 2019
District Administrative team and Building Principals discuss various options for budget reductions/revenueFebruary 13, 2019
Joe Prom, Director of Business Services, presents a session on Understanding School FinanceFebruary 5-19, 2019
District Administration seek staff input for budget reduction/revenue increasesFebruary 4, 2019
School Board sets budgetary targetJanuary 2019
Presentation to Board with the anticipated budget shortfallNovember-December 2018
Community Listening Sessions regarding failed levy voteNovember 2018
School Board and District Administration seek staff input regarding failed levy voteNovember 2018
Levy vote fails