District 196 School Board Meeting Preview

The District 196 School Board is holding a public meeting Monday night at Dakota Ridge School. Here is a preview of the agenda for the meeting, which will be covered by Rosemount Patch.

• Superintendent Jane Berenz will present the finalized version of a plan that will close a $8.5 million shortfall in the 2011-2012 budget. There are $3.4 million in cuts including the elimination of approximately 48 full-time equivalent positions and a reduction in bus transportation service by increasing the eligible service distance by one-half mile for all students. An additional $5 million in cuts will be averted by using federal education jobs funding that became available last year. In addition to the $5 million in federal funding, a revenue increase is proposed by raising participation fees by $10 for all high school sports and fine arts activities. If the final proposal is agreed to by the board, it will be formally voted on at the March 28 school board meeting.
  
  A complete list of the recommended budget adjustments for the 2011-12 school year is attached to this story.
  
  
• Director of Human Resources Tom Pederstuen will present the proposed staffing guidelines for the 2011-2012 school year. They include staffing changes at the district middle schools to reflect the reduction in school periods from eight to six per day, as well as some adjustments in staffing in other departments. If the final proposal is agreed to by the board, it will be formally voted on at the March 28 school board meeting.
  
  A complete list of the recommended budget adjustments for the 2011-12 school year is attached to this story.
  
  
• The board will give final approval to the 2011-12 Integration & Educational Equity Budget. The budget is part of an effort that began in 2004 to increase racial balance in the district by providing additional opportunities for increased interracial contact and academic growth. Budgets for the plan are
  submitted annually to the Minnesota Department of Education for final approval after they are approved by the school board.
  
  A detailed rundown of the 2011-12 Integration & Educational Equity Budget is attached to this story.