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Understanding the budget process, shutdown possibility in media reports

Budget icon(04/19/2024) Information shared at recent public meetings, social media and in media reports indicate that three members of the six member Anoka-Hennepin School Board will not vote to approve the district budget for next year as required by state law, unless a listing of items is removed from district operations. 

Why it matters: State law requires school districts to approve a district budget prior to July 1 annually. District general counsel has advised that failure to approve a budget would lead to a shutdown of operations until a budget is adopted.

 

The basics: Three School Board members have stated they will not vote to approve a budget that includes a listing of ten items including district policy language; adoption of state required curriculum standards; changing in discipline practices; elimination of standards based grading; diversity, equity and inclusion; social emotional learning; race and gender issues; and data collection. Board members who have made this proposal have acknowledged that these items do not represent a significant portion of the budget. This discussion is not intended to serve as a solution for the district’s budget reduction and reallocation plan.

 

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board consists of six members, each representing an area of approximately 40,000 residents of the total 248,000 district residents.

 

Consequences: The district is researching and developing a detailed report regarding the possible impact of a district shutdown could include impacts to operations, such as:

  • Suspension of pay and benefits for employees.

  • Complete shutdown of summer school and Adventures Plus school-age child care programming.

  • Immediate stoppage of construction projects in 30 district facilities, potential delay of 2024-25 school year at impacted sites.

  • Suspension of facility rentals and field use.

 

Timeline: Creation, adoption and revision of the $662 million Anoka-Hennepin budget follows a structured timeline that allows for board interaction and extensive opportunity for review and comment from the public.

 

  • A presentation of the 2024-25 draft budget is on the agenda for board review and comment at their April 22, 2024 meeting.

  • A work session to continue budget discussions is set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at the Educational Services Center, 2727 N. Ferry St, in Anoka.

  • The School Board is continually reviewing the budget, a process that formally began in November 2023.

  • The 2024-25 budget includes a $5.2 million reduction, consisting of the elimination of 45 positions in administration and central office operations as the initial part of a two-phase budget reduction and realignment process.

 

Be informed: Review school board meetings, videos and background materials, and access contact information for school board members at ahschools.us/schoolboard.