Budget

Reductions will be determined with reference to the 2025-26 Budget Reduction Guiding Change document.

Several factors contribute to our current financial situation:

• Elimination of federal pandemic relief funds
• Inflation costs
• New unfunded legislative mandates
• Increasing costs of special education services

Despite these challenges, we have had relatively stable enrollment and we remain dedicated to supporting every student, advancing equity, and improving our systems.

We surveyed families within the school district to gather feedback on effective educational programs and potential areas for budget cuts.

We remain optimistic that budget reductions will not significantly impact class sizes. Over the past two years, the assistant superintendent’s office has actively monitored class sizes and has made strategic decisions, including closing specific schools and grades, as well as restricting open enrollment and transfers, to help maintain optimal class sizes.

The budget changes may impact some programs or electives, but core subjects will remain largely unaffected.

We hope to avoid layoffs through attrition and upcoming retirements. However, it is possible that some staff may not have their contracts renewed or may be reassigned to different positions.

The Superintendent and administrative team are collaborating with principals, staff and other stakeholders to develop a budget recommendation for the Duluth School Board. We are utilizing the 2025-26 Budget Reduction Guiding Change document to direct these efforts. The School Board must then vote on the budget by June 30, 2025. ​​​​​​​

The State Legislature and Governor Tim Walz have mandated that all students in Minnesota receive free lunch and breakfast. Federal funds cover the cost of free breakfast and some lunches for low-income families. The state will cover the cost of free lunch for three years, after which the cost may fall to the school district. Therefore, the elimination of free meals is not an option that can be considered. 

This is certainly a possibility. It's important to carefully consider all options and weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before making a decision. Ultimately, the best course of action will depend on the specific circumstances and desired outcome. 

The student activity fee covers the costs of sports programs and extracurricular activities. At this time these programs and activities are funded. 

School start times and transportation services will remain unchanged despite budget reductions.

The district is not considering any school closures or consolidations.

Budget corrections and realignments are an ongoing budget process. Financial forecasting is an important planning tool to help the district plan our budgets. 

The district is actively seeking additional funding through lobbying efforts, fundraising initiatives, and grant applications. However, securing grants often necessitates matching funds, which can be challenging.

The financial status of the district is updated monthly at the Duluth School Board’s HR/Business Services Committee meeting as well as on the district’s website at isd709.org/budget.

Duluth Public Schools prioritizes meeting the needs of its students. When identifying reductions, minimizing impact on classroom instruction was our top priority.