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The ISD 197 School Board approved the budget, long-term maintenance needs, and more, while also recognizing a number of students before a packed audience.
Budget
The school board unanimously approved the fiscal year 2025 budget and revisions to the 2024 budget.
- Revisions: 2024 revisions include increased costs after contract negotiations (there are still a few outstanding contracts) and increases in state funding.
- Total: Budget expenses for 2025 amount to $112,522,193, excluding capital projects (this includes the general fund, food service, community service, and debt).
- Fund balance: The 2024 fiscal year ends with a fund balance of 4.5%, while 2025 is projected to end with a 6.5% fund balance. Both are below the board policy of 8%, though the policy requires having a plan to return to 8%, and the board is currently comfortable with the trajectory of the fund balance.
- Students: Enrollment is estimated to be 5,140 for the 2024-2025 school year, nearly returning to pre-pandemic levels (2019-2020 enrollment was 5,147).
- Where it goes: 86% of the budget goes to instruction and direct student support. Staff compensation accounts for 81% of the budget.
- Credit: School Board Member Jon Vaupel gave credit to the federal government for pandemic funding, the state government for recent increases, and the community for approving the recent levies. He argued that without this support the district would be faced with cuts that would impact the classroom.
Maintenance: Air Quality & Bonding
The school board approved a 10-year plan for long-term facility maintenance (LTFM), which includes replacing the HVAC systems at Heritage and Friendly Hills. Those systems have a 20-year life span and will be approaching 30 years by the time they are replaced.
The improvements are eligible for bonding, and the district will issue about $16 million in bonds to pay for the projects.
Graduation
During his regular report, Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog reflected on Sunday’s graduation, noting that the Class of 2024 started their high school career in isolation with distance learning. But that didn’t hold them back. Olson-Skog described the class as “the most welcoming and inclusive classes I’ve known in my career.”
Recognitions
The board recognized a number of student groups, with families and friends packing the room to overflowing:
- Confluence Elementary School Authors
- Dakota Hawks United-State Softball Champions
- Heritage GSA Students
- Student Curriculum Advisory Committee
- Male and Female Athletes of the Year
- Speech Team State Participants
- Track Team State Participants
- Golf Team State Participants
Other Items on the Agenda
- Goals: Superintendent Olson-Skog gave a report on his goals for the school year, noting previous reports on progress and highlighting they were all accomplished. He credited staff for the team effort. School Board Member Marcus Hill reflected that the board initially questioned whether these goals were too much, but that Olson-Skog insisted on taking on the challenge.
- Gifts: The school board accepted about $205,000 in gifts to the district for the all-inclusive playground at Somerset Elementary School. One donation of $200,000 came from an anonymous donor.
- ISD 917: The board approved a long-term facilities maintenance plan for Intermediate District 917, of which ISD 197 is a member. ISD 197’s share of the cost amounts to just under $31,000.
Engage
- More: Agendas and minutes for ISD 197 School Board meetings are available online.
- Watch: You can watch this meeting online.
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