The International Falls School Board will continue discussions next week about potential cuts the district faces as its enrollment declines.
A special work session is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the cafeteria at Falls High School. No action will be taken during the meeting.
In October, the board began considering spending adjustment options to offset the loss of about $425,000 in state funding.
Falls Superintendent Nordy Nelson earlier told The Journal the general education funding formula is student driven and the Falls’ numbers continue to decline. Since the school year began Sept. 2, the district’s enrollment has decreased by 67 students from last year. Fewer students means less state funding and the loss of about $425,000 is a number Nelson said he fears could increase.
“The present economic scenarios in our area are dictating some needed changes or adjustments that (Independent School) District 361 will need to consider,” he said during last month’s special meeting. “The downward slide of student enrollment from last school year will need to be monitored closely in the next four to five months.”
Reducing staff and eliminating two non-revenue producing sports teams are among the proposed options. Nelson this week told Journal he plans to present additional information Tuesday.
“I do have new material that will be brought forth,” he said. “I will save details for the meeting.”
Nelson said the purpose of holding meetings early in the school year allows the district to address costs before final decisions need to be made next spring.
“The district is no longer in an arrangement where fund balances will grow,” he said last month. “The present district offerings and activities cannot be sustained and still keep revenues over expenditures...We need to start throwing some of these (ideas) out there.”
The superintendent stressed no action will be taken Tuesday. Instead the meeting will serve to inform people and allow them to ask questions.
“It shouldn’t take more than half an hour or so,” he said. “We will review present enrollment numbers and a couple additional items I want to present.”
