Board won't reduce staff next year

Staff reductions were among other cost-saving measures on a list generated in November by Superintendent Nordy Nelson for the board to consider in order to save the district money without dipping into its fund balance, or savings account.

“It gets to be somewhat of a mindset,” Nelson told The Journal of spending from the fund balance. “Once you start the practice, the next time it gets worse, and the next time it gets even worse. Pretty soon, your fund balance disappears.”

Nelson said a large chunk of money – about $430,000 – was saved by the board approving early retirement last month to five staff members.

“That makes a big difference,” Nelson said.

The items and values of areas the board dropped from consideration for the upcoming school year include:

• Two athletic teams – $24,000
• English as a second language class – $8,600
• Paraprofessional staff – $125,000
• Elementary/secondary staff – $370,000
• Curriculum cycle – $75,000
• Additions to the levy referendum – $300,000

In addition to avoiding reductions in staff, the board also may consider hiring an elementary teacher to meet the number of class sections for next year.

“Right now, we would be short at least one elementary teacher,” Nelson said. “We'd have to look at hiring someone...We are not looking at replacing the retirements.”

Based on an estimate of next year's student numbers, the board agreed to set four sections for kindergarten; four sections for first grade; three sections for second grade; three sections for third grade; three sections for fourth grade; four sections for fifth grade; and three sections for sixth grade.

“There could be 68 (students) in grade two next year, and now we're in that kind of range it could go either way with three or four sections,” Nelson said. “But at this time, the one given we don't have is loss of students...What's going to come in the next six months, is tough to know.”

Still on the chopping block

Cost reduction items the board will continue to consider – and finalize – when it meets in a special session April 28, include:

• Eliminating the hall monitor position – $21,000
• Alternating physics/chemistry each year – $8,600
• Contracting out the yearbook – $8,600
• Relocating the Community Education office and reworking Community Education secretary – $35,000
• Dropping remedial seventh and eighth grade classes – $42,000

“Have we really thought about keeping the (Community Education) office where it is right now?” asked board member Willi Kostiuk. “The more I think about that area, it's really important to have someone back there...I think it's something for consideration.”

The superintendent previously suggested remodeling the district offices near the front entrance of Falls High School to create a space for the Community Ed office, which is currently located on the east end of the building. Nelson said there is concern about the lack of security at the Community Ed entrance. Relocation would eliminate a secretarial position that would amount to about $35,000 in savings.

Kostiuk suggested a security system be installed near the Community Ed office to avoid relocation.

“It would be an empty spot back there,” he said. “There would be no one to watch that entrance...The pool would have no direct supervision.”

Nelson said the facility committee will evaluate options and present them to the board to aid in any decision.

Board member Gordy Dault asked how monitoring the hallways, locker rooms and bathrooms would be handled should the hall monitor position, held by BethAnne Slatinski, be eliminated.

“Much of that would fall to the dean of students and/or the principals,” Nelson said. “It would just have to be on their plate to do more of it.”

Superintendent search

The board appeared divided on how to move forward in its search for a new superintendent.

Nelson, whose contract expires June 30, will leave International Falls to pursue his St. Cloud-based consulting business part time.

In December, the board tabled action on hiring a consulting firm to help in the search of a new superintendent and agreed to seek quotes from other companies. 

But Kostiuk said he felt the expense was unnecessary. 

"We did a pretty good job of hiring the last superintendent," he said. "I think we have the ability to review all the applications that we've had...And follow through with the process as a board. I don't think we need to spend any more money on hiring someone to narrow the field down when I think we're perfectly capable of doing it ourselves.”

Board member Mike Holden disagreed.

“It wouldn't hurt to have somebody take a look at it,” he said, noting the high turnover rate the district has experienced in superintendents over the years. “You're going to want to make sure you're gonna get somebody that's gonna stay." 

“That's been our goal every single time,” Kostiuk said of the hiring process. “I don't think hiring an outside company will ensure (someone will stay). I think our goal as a board is to get the best person for our district. It's always been our goal to do that.”

Holden said a consistent superintendent would help stabilize the district.

“It needs to get done right so it's going to stabilize and someone's going to stay here,” he said.

Kostiuk said there is never a guarantee someone would stay in the district.

Board member Michelle Hebner said the past two superintendent hires have “been a little shaky at best,” and thought it would be beneficial to have an outside resource aid the board in the process.

“I don't think we've constantly done a good job over time as far as our process,” she said. “And to involve somebody that does that specifically for a living for many other school districts I think would benefit us.”

The board agreed Nelson, who has more than 30 years of education experience under his belt, will play a role in the hiring process and will hold interviews later this month.