Return to Learn Family Update
April 23, 2021
A Message from Superintendent Rudolph
Good Afternoon Bluejacket Families,
We have two important updates for you today. Last night the School Board approved $1 million in budget reduction and the use of $700,000 one-time pandemic funding to close our $1.7 million structural deficit. As we have shared previously, this is a short-term fix to our financial challenges. Over a three-year period we have cut $8.5 million from a $60 million budget. We have a Community Task Force looking at longer-term structural changes and recommendations.
We are also looking at changes to our transportation model. This year we changed to a single-tier transportation system that is operating at 50% capacity. It works because many parents volunteered to drive their children this year due to the pandemic. We are surveying parents and staff to rank order priorities for our decision-making and final recommendation. The survey is only five questions and can be completed in just a few minutes. We appreciate your feedback. To read more about each model, click here.
At our School Board meeting last night, CMS Principal Gerlach shared a short video that recapped the last year. We saw Blue and White Hearts in windows in homes; the shift to grab and go meals; three learning models and four iterations of the master schedule; and new skills in learning and technology. He reminded us to look for the positive outcomes of change and celebrate what is right in education. Next year, when we open our doors, we will be stronger as a system. We have adapted, grown and have new skills and stronger relationships moving forward. We have much to celebrate. Despite the challenges we have endured, take time to see the beauty in the world and the beauty in each other.
Sincerely,
Nate Rudolph
Superintendent
Budget Update
At the School Board meeting last night, the School Board unanimously approved budget reductions totaling $1 million, after applying $700,000 in pandemic relief toward supporting students and avoiding more lay-offs for next fall. It is a short-term solution. You can watch the video or view the slides here.
As you know, we rely more on state funding (83% of our annual operating budget comes from the state) than the average school district, and state funding is not keeping pace with inflation. For the past decade state funding has increased less than 2% each year. This year, the Minnesota Senate is proposing no increase in education funding, the Governor is proposing a 1% increase and the House is proposing a 2% increase on the general education funding formula. At the same time, the House and Senate are more than $600 million apart on their overall spending targets, and there is little hope they will reach an agreement before they adjourn on May 17. In the last five out of six legislative sessions they have required a Special Session to resolve their differences and adopt a budget. It is unlikely that we will know our funding levels before June.
COVID-19 Update (Repeat)
Regional Public Health officials recently confirmed that the Minnesota Department of Health has reported at least 60% of positive cases right now are a variant—mostly the B117 variant and some Brazil variants. The regional school and childcare team recorded a record high number of positive cases recently. While we’d like to be seeing the light at the end of the COVID tunnel, MDH is warning that now is not the time to be letting up on mitigation strategies. Continue to wear a mask, wash your hands, follow safe distancing guidelines, and stay home if you don’t feel well.
As we continue to work closely with Isanti Public Health and our regional MDH team, we are happy to report that the minor shift from a Modified Hybrid to a Hybrid Model at the high school has helped slow the spread. Positive cases have resulted in a higher number of quarantines, which also has helped slow the spread. Said differently, according to public health and MDH, our protocols are working. Anyone who is considered a close contact through contact tracing protocols are notified by district personnel. As vaccine availability continues to grow and protocols remain effective in slowing the spread, we are encouraged and hopeful that we will soon be on the tail end of this pandemic.
Did You Know?
Cambridge-Isanti Schools is recognized as an Exemplar District (the last two years) by the Minnesota Department of Education for outstanding efforts with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
Isanti Intermediate/School For All Seasons was selected as an Ambassador School by the Minnesota Department of Education in 2019 and 2020 for strengthening the knowledge and skills of graduates in Minnesota’s educator preparation programs regarding classroom management and positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) by collaborating with Minnesota PBIS and presenting to Minnesota education preparation programs that support excellence in positive behavior and classroom management.
Isanti Middle School and Isanti Intermediate/School For All Seasons were also awarded recognition as a Sustaining Exemplar School for the past four years.
Cambridge-Isanti Schools
Email: dist-communications@c-ischools.org
Website: c-ischools.org
Location: 625a Main Street North, Cambridge, MN, USA
Phone: 7636896188