School Board Work Session Nov.10, 2026 Audio Only

The Osseo Area Schools board work session, held November 10, 2026, focused first on fiscal year 2028 budget planning. Administrators recommended continuing a 1.5% reduction across general-fund departments, with projected operational reductions of about $5 million annually from FY2028 through FY2031, totaling $20 million. The FY2027 adopted budget projects an $18.2 million operating deficit. Enrollment is about 170 students below last year and roughly 480 below projections, adding pressure to the financial outlook. The district also expects about $680,000 in additional permanent school fund revenue in FY2028. Staff described reviewing existing contracts for value and identified transportation, insurance, utilities, compensation, and other costs as budget drivers; the board took no vote on budget parameters during the session.

The board also reviewed other fund projections and student-service initiatives. Food Nutrition anticipates capital spending to replace aging walk-in coolers and freezers; Community Service is planning a $1.2 million operational adjustment, potentially combining expenditure reductions and revenue changes; and the capital-fund forecast includes $1.6 million in net adjustments over the planning period. For special education, staff reported that a prior-year investment added 18 licensed staff and 18 education support professionals, with an estimated net cost of about $650,000 after reimbursements, and presented new enrollment- and acuity-based staffing formulas intended for FY2028 staffing. The session also covered achievement, integration, literacy, and discipline data. No contract awards, vendor selections, or procurement approvals were made; future budget and capital items are scheduled for further review.