Carlton maps out future deficit management

Carlton School District officials are working hard to reduce next year’s projected budget deficit, as the small school faces the consequences of years of declining enrollment leading to lower state revenues.

Superintendent John Engstrom outlined budget reduction targets for the 2023-24 school year Monday at the Carlton school board committee of the whole meeting. Likely savings would result from not replacing a retiring custodian; non-renewal of full-time building substitute teachers; and combining two current third-grade classrooms into one fourth-grade class in the fall.

“That puts fourth grade at a little higher number than we would normally like,” said elementary school principal Donita Stepan, who estimated the combined class would add up to about 25 students. However, if that isn’t done, she explained, two classrooms of 12 and 13 children would not make economic sense.

In terms of revenue and expenses, Engstrom said they “really need a classroom with 20 to 23 to break even.” Currently, with 338 students, Carlton averages under 20 students per schoolroom.

Asked if the reduction in teaching positions would involve layoffs, Engstrom said it “remained to be decided” and cautioned, “keep in mind this is just the plan,” meaning the school board would have the final say in any reductions.

Stepan pointed out that combining classrooms also allows savings with paraprofessionals, who aid teachers in the classroom. Depending on student requirements, she pointed out, “our paras don’t have to be split between two sections.”

Board member Laura Nilsen asked about future kindergarten numbers.

Stepan said 15 children were in attendance at Kindergarten Roundup but said they are planning on 18 for the fall.

As mentioned above, Carlton now has two full-time substitute teachers: one for the elementary, and one for the secondary school. They are funded by the Covid-19 federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) initiative. ESSER funding goes away this year and so will those positions.

Engstrom also talked about the art curriculum, noting that the recent stakeholder survey overwhelmingly called for art classes to return to the schedule. Since the subject just came up in March, he would like to delay a decision.

“Our reality is that in order to [add art], we need to make a cut somewhere else. So given that, and given the time, we would make a decision that I think was kind of rushed. My recommendation is it’s best to leave that until next December, or January, and study it [through] the spring, summer, and fall.”

Despite the hard fiscal planning, enthusiasm remained high for the proposed dual-track curriculum including project-based learning envisioned for Carlton. Stepan said the plan is moving ahead with the essential step of getting buy-in from teachers and paraprofessionals.

“I was able to share our strategic plan with our entire staff at our last [professional development] session,” she said. “It was fantastic. People looked pretty interested and involved, and I think overwhelmingly positive.”

But, there is no time to lose. Stepan said she plans to bring project-based learning for staff over the summer to the board’s finance committee next week.

“We’ve got to move fast, right?” she said.

Stepan said she doesn’t expect any big changes related to the dual-track curriculum will happen next year and she’s not expecting “a huge price tag.”

“It’ll probably take a year before the bigger steps,” she said.

The next regular Carlton school board meeting starts at 7 p.m. Monday, April 17 in the high school library.