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The Sauk Rapids-Rice School District did not pass an operating referendum in November and will now make additional reductions and modifications for the 2012-2013 school year.
In recent years, Sauk Rapids-Rice has eliminated administrative, teaching, and support positions; increased fees and class sizes; established a fee structure for transportation services; eliminated student and community services; and reduced budgets throughout the district and within programs including athletics and extra curriculars. While we continue to provide wonderful services for our children, we have had to be more creative in how we deliver those opportunities.
For example, in an attempt to provide equal access for all students, the district underwent a large scale reallocation of funds in the 2011-12 school year that reduced specialist time in Physical Education, Music, Technology, Art and Media at the elementary level to provide all day every day kindergarten for all students free of charge. While most districts choose to do this with excess operating dollars, we do not have that option.
We have actively sought grant opportunities to assist with the purchasing of technology and resources for our students, including those most at-risk. This creativity has also included a reliance on generous funding provided by our PTAC organizations, as well as continued fundraising. In summary, we are doing more with less and recognize we must work within current budget parameters, which means reductions will need to be made.
While having to make additional reductions is extremely unfortunate, I am confident that we will be able to work collaboratively to minimize the impact on our students, schools and community. Thank you to those who took the survey which closed on January 20, 2012. Your feedback is essential for our continued success.
