BEMIDJI – The Bemidji Area ÍáÍáÂþ»s Board of Education is set to take action on expense reductions for the 2026 fiscal year during its regular session at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28, in the district office board room.
The board met in a discussion-only work session on Tuesday to review potential reductions that would total $1.6 million, slightly more aggressive than the board’s $1.5 million target. Superintendent Jeremy Olson noted that such reductions are necessary, as state aid has not kept up with inflation.
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If state aid had kept up with inflation since 2003, the school district would receive 18.7% more in revenue than it currently receives and place the district in the black. Olson added that without one-time COVID dollars, the district would’ve operated in a deficit since 2018.
During the work session, Olson proposed several reductions for the board’s consideration. He noted that $890,000 in reductions are directly related to the classroom, or 53%. Non-classroom reductions, clocking in at 46%, would result in $777,000 in savings.
These include administrative changes, the consolidation of middle school and high school activities departments and the elimination of the dean of students position at Bemidji Middle ÍáÍáÂþ».
Alongside other positions — currently vacant and not expected to be refilled — another proposal would’ve combined second and third-grade classrooms at Solway Elementary. In particular, this measure was met with board resistance over concerns of maintaining equitable class sizes.
Garnering feedback and recognizing that cuts need to be made, the official action item to make budget reductions will be introduced during Monday’s meeting.
The public can attend the meeting in person or
An informal listening session will precede the regular board meeting at 6 p.m. at the district office.
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