The top three priorities for the Brainerd School District this coming year may be its finances, the curriculum and communication with the public.
The Brainerd School Board's Long Range Planning Committee met Wednesday and recommended the school board ask administration to address these three priorities.
Board member Ruth Nelson said there have been many changes in the school district since last November when the school referendum failed - including the fact that the district has a new leader, Superintendent Steve Razidlo - for the committee to address.
In finance, the committee wants administration to look at the district's fund balance and class size. In curriculum, the committee would like administration to review the new standards that are in place and look at remedial and intervention programs and student-driven instruction. In communication, the committee would like to see board members and school administrators in the public more.
Board member Kent Montgomery said board members need to meet people face to face more often and answer their questions. Board member Bob Nystrom agreed and said he'd like the superintendent to write more guest columns in the Brainerd Dispatch to better inform the community about school district matters.
Montgomery said the district will have to address many concerns when it moves forward in planning because of the higher cost of living and budget limitations.
Steve Dickinson, director of business services, said the district will struggle with its budget for years to come. If the school board wants the fund balance to stay healthy, it will have to be reviewed constantly.
Montgomery said, "We really need to hang on to getting where we need to be. ... We don't want to run into more cuts and receiving less revenue."
The board's finance committee will meet at 1 p.m. Oct. 30 at Washington Educational Services Building, 804 Oak St., to discuss the budget.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.
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