Sweeping Cuts: Minnesota School District Approves Multi-Million Dollar Spending Reduction Plan

Byron, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Byron School Board has approved millions of dollars in spending cuts. 

See Also: Olmsted County Now Accepting Bids for Former Seneca Foods Site 

Elected leaders signed off on the cuts during a special meeting on Monday night. District leaders approved plans to reduce teaching and support staff by 15% each and to cut administration staff by 31%. 

The spending reductions are the result of a multi-million budget shortfall discovered last Spring and a failed operating referendum this past Fall. 

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Financial difficulties for the district also coincided with Superintendent Dr. Mike Nuebeck’s decision to resign. He informed the Byron School Board last December of his intention to step down from the post he’s held since July of 2021. 

A Byron parent had started a petition calling for Nubeck’s resignation. He’s scheduled to resign in June and the search for his replacement is ongoing. 

Byron, MN School Board Approves More Than $3 Million in Spending Cuts Over the Next Two Years

On Monday night, board members unanimously approved trimming millions of dollars in spending over the next two years. 

The approved plan calls for rolling back a net total of  $1,602,328 in spending for the remainder of the current budget cycle and reducing spending by $1,617,250 in the 2025-26 budget. 

The resolution passed by the board lists the areas targeted for spending reductions:

Teaching Staff- 12 Total; 7 K-5, 1 MS, 4 HS, 2 Counselors 

Reduce Tech Specialist to .5 FTE

Reduce Days of Receptionist from 190 to 183

Recode Paraprofessional to SPED

Reduce Elementary Assistant Principal to Dean

Reduce Athletics/Activities Supply Budgets

Eliminate School Contribution to ETS

Eliminate HUDL

Reduce Coaches/Teams by Cutting Athletes

Reduce State Tournament/Coaches Clinics

Reduce Dance Program

Reduce Technology Supplies

Reduce Technology Subscriptions

Reduce Capital Budget

Reduce District Office Fees

Reduce Grad Credit for WSU Interns

Reduce Operational Costs

Eliminate Ramsey Subscription

Eliminate SELCO Subscription

-Byron School District Spending Reduction Resolution

Along with staff cuts, the district approved reducing spending for athletics, technology and capital spending. The board also signed off on plans for increasing fees for revenue-generating activities and services, according to the meeting agenda item. 

A presentation shown to board members late last year indicates the Byron School District plans to bring another operating referendum before the district voters in November.