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LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
Budget gap for 2025-26 school year addressed through administrative reduction and one-time funds
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board enacted a $ 26 million budget reduction and reallocation plan at its November 25 , 2024 meeting , a decision that completes a ten-month process completed in two-phases that ensures planning for the 2025-26 school year will remain on schedule .
The Budget Reduction and Realignment Plan was pursued in two phases with a goal of making cuts away from class size ratios to the extent possible . The plan , which was subject to public review and comment at multiple community meetings , was approved with a $ 14.14 million reduction in district administration and central services , a reduction of approximately 250 positions .
District administration and central services reduction : $ 6,121,164
202 positions impacted in buildings and grounds , business services , communication and public relations , community education , human resources , research evaluation and testing , special education , student services , technology and information systems , and transportation .
This includes a 45 position reduction and realignment of the district senior leadership team and curriculum departments , reducing the superintendent ’ s cabinet from 11 positions to five and impacting the following positions :
• eliminating associate superintendents , chief technology and information officer , director
Reductions at a glance :
Phase 1 :
$
5.1 million reduction in district and central office / services effective July 1 , 2024 .
Phase 2 :
$
9.04 million reduction in district and central office / services effective July 1 , 2025 .
No reductions to teachers or direct instructional staff at school sites for 2025-26 .
One-time use of district fund balance and reduction of $ 5 million in strategic investments to reach the budget reduction and reallocation goal .
No requirement to pursue a referendum election .
A convergence of factors
led to the need to address a budget shortfall , beginning in Feb . 2024 :
• limited or stable enrollment growth ,
• elimination of federal pandemic relief funds ,
• higher than budgeted employee contract settlements ,
• inflation and increasing costs for transportation and operations support ,
• no additional revenue from state or federal sources anticipated ,
• and new requirements without funding support .
of elementary schools , directors of special education , and directors of curriculum ;
• realigning the executive director of community education and government relations , executive director of communications and public relations , executive director of research evaluation and testing , and director of enterprise technology ;
• adding a deputy superintendent , two assistant superintendents , executive director of learning and achievement , executive director of student support , and director of special education .
In addition , the plan also replaces the elementary and secondary curriculum , instruction and assessment department ; and the department overseeing state and federal programs with a new Learning and Assessment Department , replacing 20 Teaching and Learning Specialists with 10 coordinators and realigning clerical staff .
Reallocations and revenue increases : $ 2,920,000
The reallocation of positions from the general fund that include technology , community education and child nutrition to other revenue streams along with a recent change in state funding formulas provides $ 2 million in new student support aid to maintain positions
Phase 1 reductions : $ 5,100,000
Between February and April 2024 , a plan to adjust $ 5.1 million from central office functions and district administration which included elimination of 40 positions ; the realignment of nearly eight full-time positions to other funding sources ; and operations reductions of $ 1.1 million in areas such as transportation and district technology . This reduction was made prior to the 2024-25 school year and incorporated into the current year budget .
Learn more
Visit ahschools . us / budget to review planning documents and presentations included in the budget reduction and reallocation process . n
School Board approves 1.20 % property tax levy reduction in 2025
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board approved a 1.20 % reduction in the school portion of the property tax levy for 2025 following their annual truth-in-taxation public hearing at their Monday , Dec . 9 School Board meeting .
Similar to cities , counties and other taxing authorities , the School Board authorizes property tax levies annually at its December meeting . The levies , which amount to $ 138 million in 14 different categories , equal a $ 1.7 million reduction for next year , or 1.2 %.
Factors that impact the decreases in taxes include :
• $ 589,603 reduction in building lease funds .
• The district relocated the Bridges and Pathways special education transition programs to the former site of Franklin Elementary and renamed the program the Two Rivers Transition Program at Franklin .
• $ 681,264 increase in state aid programs that reduce the local taxpayer share .
• $ 2.4 million decrease in prior year adjustments that reflects a revenue decrease from 2024 .
Increases in voter-approved operating referendums are based on student enrollment and annual inflation growth while increases in the voterapproved capital projects or technology levy is based on net tax capacity and not on enrollment . Increased funding for school-age care is also included as part of the levy authorization plan .
Homeowners who experience no increase in value should experience a decrease in the school district portion of property taxes paid while those with homes valued under $ 500,000 with a 5 % or less valuation increase would see less than a . 05 % increase in school taxes . n
Superintendent column cont . from page 1
with plans for full statewide implementation in the 2026-27 school year . This legislation has the goal for every Minnesota child reading at or above grade level every year , beginning in kindergarten along with support for multilingual learner and students receiving special education services in reaching their educational goals for proficiency .
In Anoka-Hennepin Schools , literacy improvement is the School Board ’ s highest academic focus area and elementary schools across the district are on the frontline for this effort . Snapshots of success are emerging in classrooms across the district .
At Monroe Elementary School in Brooklyn Park , Minnesota Comprehensive Achievement ( MCA ) results demonstrate strong gains in literacy for key student cohorts including an 18 % jump in reading proficiency for fourthgrade students and a 25 % improvement for fifth graders over the same one-school year time period . Monroe was one of 12 schools in Anoka-Hennepin piloting “ Bridge to Read ” literacy instruction at that time , an effort which has now expanded to all schools . Similar gains in student performance have been recorded across the district based on how reading is being taught , shifting to an evidence-based system based on the “ Science of Reading ” from the former balanced literacy instructional model . Curriculum is being evaluated now to determine the best support materials for teachers as they work to implement these strategies .
In effect , classrooms across the district are ahead of the curve on implementing these reading strategies and acting with a sense of urgency . Success here provided evidence that the READ Act provisions would provide similar benefits to students across the state .
The READ Act requires schools to identify and take action to provide intervention support in Kindergarten through Grade 3 for students who may need additional reading support through screening sessions held twice per year , at the start and end of the school year , both for reading fluency and dyslexia . Although the legislation aims to improve reading at all grade levels , learning to read well by third grade remains an important milestone leading to overall academic success for students as they advance through our schools .
As the calendar turns to 2025 , it provides an opportunity to reflect on the resources our schools have available and how they are being implemented to address the most important and urgent needs of students . Improving reading instruction and literacy skills for an increasing number of students remains at the top of that list .
The month of February is “ I Love to Read Month ,” and schools across the district will be having fun events , guest readers and competitions to celebrate and build reading skills . Parents and caregivers can also join in the fun by reading books to their children , taking their student to the library and modeling the importance of reading for their students . Our success in building strong leaders takes all of us and we welcome any support from parents and guardians as we move forward .
In support of the district mission , Anoka- Hennepin Schools remain focused on effectively educating each of our students for success .
Thank you for your ongoing support of our schools and students . n
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