School board approves ‘09 District budget
Published Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Fergus Falls School Board approved the budget for fiscal year 2009.
District Business Manager, Mark Masten, presented the school board with the finalized version of the budget. Masten, along with the school board, began working on the budget in November. The district is looking at $2.36 million in budget cuts for 2009, and is expecting more cuts next year.
Declining enrollment is a major factor, Masten said. Enrollment is set to decline by 114 students next year. Over the past 13 years, the district has seen a decline of 1,047 students. Despite budget cuts, Masten said the district is steadily working its way of statutory operating debt.
The board also heard from Fergus Falls resident Wayne Hurley, who presented the board with information regarding a Minnesota Department of Transportation grant aimed at improving safety conditions surrounding schools.
The Safe Routes Program could provide funding for sidewalk projects around public schools and provide educational opportunities for students to learn more about road-side safety.
The school board said it will work with the city to apply for the grant if the city chooses to do so. The application process includes two steps; an application for a planning grant, and a request for an infrastructure grant. Applications for planning grants will be available in August and due in November. Successful applications will be announced in the spring of 2009.
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