Byron Public Schools approves $2 million of reductions for the 2024-25 school year

Jordan Shearer, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.
·2 min read

May 6—BYRON, Minn. — Amid a backdrop of rising costs, Byron Public Schools has authorized the reduction of $2 million from its budget for the 2024-25 year, paving the way for a series of cuts to come.

The Byron School Board met on Monday, May 6, to discuss the different factors contributing to the situation. The district is scheduled to host another meeting for the community on Tuesday, May 7.

"I'm asking people to be patient," Board member Matt Prigge said to the audience at the meeting. "We'll find every opportunity we can to keep everybody employed."

Even though the board only approved reductions for the coming year, Superintendent Mike Neubeck indicated there may need to be additional cuts made beyond the 2024-25 year.

Prior to the meeting, Neubeck summarized some of the factors contributing to the situation in a letter to staff members. It included the fact that the district's health insurance premiums are expected to increase nearly 30%, and the fact that the district is projecting a decrease in enrollment.

During Monday's meeting, Neubeck listed a handful of additional factors that are also at play, such as the fact that the cost of the district's contracts with its various unions has gone up, the fact that the district's federal COVID funding is coming to an end, as well as the impact of partially funded or unfunded mandates that have been approved by the state legislature.

"All that plays into why we need to make these adjustments," Neubeck said. "If we work with our community, we can get through this."

In addition to reviewing the increasing costs, Neubeck also explained that there are pressures on the district's revenue streams as well, such as the fact that Byron is in the bottom tier in terms of the amount of state funding districts receive. He also explained that, unlike many districts, Byron Public Schools does not have an operating levy to supplement the existing tax income it receives from the community.

Although the board didn't explicitly discuss it, Neubeck's presentation referenced the possibility of asking voters to approve an operating levy this fall.

In spite of the near-term reductions, Prigge said the district will continue advocating for itself in the long term.

"I think our leadership at the state needs to take a look at this," Prigge said, referring to Neubeck's analysis that Byron is in the bottom tier of state funding. "I think that's totally unacceptable. ... We will be dealing with this for a long time to come."