Robbinsdale School Board Approves ‘Painful’ Cuts
The Robbinsdale Area School Board approved significant cuts at its June 16 board meeting.
The cuts, which rely largely on staffing reductions, totaled nearly $16 million. CCX News previously reported the cuts will impact more than 200 staff members.
The cuts were necessary when an accounting error was discovered last year that the put the district in a $21 million hole for next school year’s budget. New leadership, including a new superintendent, took over to address the budget crisis.
“I do believe the new superintendent came in to a situation where … we had a budget that was fluid, it was all over the place,” said Robbinsdale Area School Board member ReNae Bowman, referring to Superintendent Teri Staloch, who was hired last year.
Savings also came from transportation changes, which include increasing walk zones, impacting families who live close to schools and previously relied on busing.
Some board members said they remain troubled by the budget and its impact on students.
“This budget for me does not prioritize the needs of students nor does it prioritize staff voice and recommendations,” said Kim Holmes, a Robbinsdale Area School Board member. “Perhaps even more concerning to me is this budget lacks the necessary transparency needed for directors to make informed decisions.”
Holmes said students support staff will be “drastically reduced” and classroom sizes will increase as a result of staff reductions.
Bowman stated that the “painful” cuts will help the district recover long term.
“For as painful that it is, it was about time in this district that we had leadership that stood up and created a budget based in the real world that was going to be sustainable over time,” said Bowman. “We are going to be in a real world of hurt not only this year, but next year and probably the following year.”
Other board members agreed with Bowman.
“Yes, it is painful, but I think we are headed in the right direction,” said Robbinsdale Area School Board member Kenneth Wutoh.
“Hopefully, by doing these cuts, we’re setting ourselves up for a better and brighter future financially,” said Aviva Hillenbrand, also a Robbinsdale Area School Board member.
The final vote was 4-to-2 with school board member Helen Bassett abstaining. Holmes and board member Caroline Long voted no.
An executive summary of the cuts can be found on the Robbinsdale Area School Board website at https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/964?meeting=694073.
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