The Burnsville Public School District Board of Education held a regular meeting on March 27, 2025, where key discussions centered around the district's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. With state funding still uncertain, the board is preparing for potential financial challenges as they project a decline in student enrollment and increased expenses.

During the meeting, officials reported that the district anticipates an enrollment of approximately 7,021 students for the next school year, a decrease of about 50 students from the previous year. This decline in enrollment is a continuing trend that has been observed since early 2018. The board is also facing a projected budget gap of $11.4 million for fiscal year 2025-2026, prompting discussions on necessary spending reductions.

To address this gap, the board has directed a reduction in expenditures by $2.1 million and plans to draw down reserves by $9.3 million. This strategy aims to maintain a healthy unassigned fund balance of approximately $30.3 million, or about 18% of the budget, which provides the district with flexibility in managing its finances.

The meeting also highlighted the ongoing impact of inflation on funding. Officials noted that if funding were to keep pace with inflation, the district would receive an additional $1,400 per pupil annually. However, the reality is that the district continues to fall behind in funding, particularly in special education, where federal commitments have not been fully met over the past 50 years.

In addition to budget discussions, the board reviewed plans for maintaining class sizes and supporting educational programs. The district aims to keep class sizes manageable while also offering various pathway courses and support for students transitioning between educational levels. However, to achieve these goals, the board is considering reducing teaching staff by approximately 8.55 full-time equivalents across K-12.

As the district moves forward, community feedback is being solicited through an online portal, which will remain open until April 18. This input will be crucial as the board prepares to finalize budget adjustments and make decisions that will affect the educational landscape in Burnsville.

The next steps include a work session in early June, where the board will review community feedback and make necessary adjustments before adopting the budget prior to February for the following year. The outcomes of these discussions will play a significant role in shaping the district's financial health and educational offerings in the coming years.