Any cuts the International Falls School Board makes will wait one more month.
Board members during a special meeting Monday delayed action on proposed cuts until they meet in May. The decision to delay came after a recommendation from Superintendent Nordy Nelson, who said more time for consideration is needed.
“We have too many variables out there at this time,” he said, which include the board's decision on the superintendent position and final numbers on how many students enrolled in the Post Secondary Enrollment Option at Rainy River Community College.
“If we retain quite a number of our high school students, it means a whole different picture of revenue for the district,” Nelson told the board.
The process of making certain cuts began in November due to the district's declining enrollment. Rather than dip into its general fund, or savings account, the board took into consideration a number of areas appropriate for reductions.
When the process began, however, the board set its goal at saving $500,000 based on a 70-student drop since May 31, 2013. Last week, that goal was revised to $630,000 based on an 86-student drop.
Nelson told The Journal the additional loss of students was unexpected. On top of that, the superintendent said the district is also aware of about 15 additional children who will be leaving the district with their families during the summer.
To date, the board has made a few adjustments, including offering early retirement to eligible teachers to save $430,000, and removing the library media position to save $50,000. In May, the board could consider the following:
- Contract out the yearbook for a savings of $8,600.
- Keep the community education secretary at a half-time position to save $18,000.
- Drop remedial seventh- and eighth-grade classes to save $42,000.
- Delay the phy-ed curriculum cycle one year to save $75,000.
- Reduce the dean of students position to half-time to save $38,000.
- Non-renewal of Alex Ringhofer's teaching contract to save $43,214.
Superintendent interviews
Also Monday, the board held interviews for superintendent. The three candidates interviewed were Beth Shermoen and Kevin Grover, who work in the district, and Gwen Carman from Grand Marais.
“I thought all three candidates did very well on the interviews,” board Chairman Gordy Dault told The Journal Tuesday. “It will be a difficult decision.”
The board is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. tonight in the cafeteria at Falls High School to review the responses of the candidates with a rating system.
“We're going to hand in our ratings before the meeting and then go over them,” Dault said of Wednesday's agenda. “At this point, there is no front runner.”
Dault stressed the interviews are only one component in figuring out who will succeed Nelson, whose contract expires June 30. He added applications, resumes, reference checks and experience will also be considered.
“It all has to be put together to come up with the right fit,” he said.
Class sections
In other action Monday, the board set secondary classes at four sections for core classes in grades 7-10.
“I think all of the grade levels will have more than 90 (students),” Nelson said. “To keep the student-teacher ratios at a comfortable level...We ask that the board set those sections at four each.”
Board members were hesitant to set the sections at four instead of three in fear the district could suffer more student loss next year.
“If we lose a bunch more families this summer, we could come in with lower numbers,” said board member Darrell “Boxer” Wagner.
FHS Principal Tim Everson said enrollment projections are based on the hope the school will retain 90 percent of its students for the 2014-2015 school year.
In addition, Everson said registration materials will be distributed to students on Friday to give administration a clearer picture of what numbers to expect in enrollment.
Schedules for junior and senior students fluctuate based on electives and PSEO making it difficult to set sections for those grade levels, the principal said.
“Do we have the option to go back to three (sections)?” Wagner asked.
Nelson said in the event "another 50 students are lost," sections can be adjusted and administration can “hand schedule” putting those kids in classes.
