GFPS Regular School Board Meeting (September 28th, 2026)

The Grand Forks Public Schools regular school board meeting was held September 28, 2026. The board discussed special-education paraprofessional staffing after families and staff raised concerns about student safety, IEP implementation, and reduced access to general education. Administrators said they were reviewing requests for additional support daily; three or four of 10 requests had been filled, and three staff had been added in elementary settings. The board also discussed staffing shortages, an estimated $1.5 million in savings from paraprofessional allocation changes, and a projected $2.1 million in general-fund deficit spending. No new procurement awards, bids, or vendor selections were identified.

The finance committee reviewed potential capital work, including HVAC improvements at Wilder Elementary and air conditioning at Schrader Middle School, with approximately $6–8 million referenced for HVAC/AC work, and Phoenix Elementary safety and security improvements estimated at $1.83 million. Phoenix planning may depend on a city study of a proposed roundabout, so the board discussed waiting for more information; these projects were not approved for procurement at this meeting. The board unanimously approved the mill levy and budget as presented and separately approved the July–August general fund financial statements. Members also discussed future building-fund capacity, including funds expected to be freed after the final bond payment in 2028.