Understanding Our Challenges
Our existing technology levy will expire in 2026
In 2015, voters in our district approved a 10-year technology levy providing approximately $900,000 annually for learning technology and digital curriculum. This investment has been instrumental in providing all students with a device to enhance their learning and ensure that software, cybersecurity, internet service and other technology are updated, well-maintained and secure.
If the levy expires in 2026, our district will lose funding for these resources. Funding would need to be reallocated from curriculum and staffing to protect these learning tools for students.
State funding for education has not kept pace with inflation
Today, districts statewide are receiving comparatively less funding than they were 20 years ago because the state’s funding formula does not account for inflation. Many of the rising costs of education are mandated but unfunded by the state, or are integral parts of student curriculum.
Examples of rising costs in our schools:
2023 legislation mandates summer term unemployment benefits for employees who do not work year round. This will cost Big Lake Schools about $350,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 2026 or 2027 if state funding for these costs runs out.
Due to the current insurance market across the state of Minnesota, property and liability insurance costs are expected to increase 42% next year, while workers compensation insurance costs are expected to increase 22%.
Curricular costs are increasing due to more frequent updates, the incorporation of online tools, and shifts toward per-student models. For example, K-5 English Language Arts curricula cost $180,000/year seven years ago, but now costs $550,000.
A statewide shortage of teachers makes it difficult to attract and retain staff without competitive pay.
Source: Minnesota Department of Education 2023 Inflation Estimates
Actual per-pupil funding
Annual per-pupil funding if inflation was factored in
Faced with these costs and the gap in state funding, school districts have two choices to balance budgets: Cut spending, or supplement school budgets with locally-approved funding. In Minnesota, over 70% of school districts receive additional financial support from locally-approved operating levies, which support classroom curriculum and materials, staff salaries, extracurricular activities, facilities management and other general operations.
In 2015, voters in our district approved an operating levy that currently provides $681 per pupil annually. This amount is $400 below the current state average of $1,081, which makes it challenging to sustain curriculum, programming and resources our students need to reach their highest potential.
Demand for special education services has grown significantly
In the last decade, the demand for autism, developmental, and emotional care services has grown dramatically in our schools.
Big Lake Schools has increased the level of programming available to our students, but the programming and instructional space for special education is insufficient to meet growing demand.
Big Lake Schools is a partner in the Sherburne Northern Wright Special Education Cooperative with the Becker and Monticello school districts. The cooperative provides specialized services to students who cannot learn in a traditional classroom. Currently, there is a waiting list for students to access these services due to a shortage of appropriate space. Not being able to provide appropriate settings for these learners impacts learning for all students.
The cooperative leases space in multiple locations to ensure students receive the dedicated support they need. These spaces are primarily outside of Big Lake, which requires students, staff, and families to travel out of town for services. Supporting multiple locations requires more funding for space and staffing than if these services were available directly within our schools.
Our facilities struggle to meet demand for physical education, school activities, competition space, and community education and events.
Demand for physical education and athletics space has grown significantly in our schools and community:
Athletic teams regularly compete for field and court availability, which results in practices and competitions being canceled or moved to inadequate facilities, especially when outdoor conditions are cold or wet.
Lacrosse teams often practice inside gymnasiums, and track athletes practice in school hallways.
Student practices regularly go as late as 8:00 p.m.
Youth sports practices are sometimes pushed later into the evening or canceled due to competing schedules in limited indoor activity space.
Big Lake also lacks sufficient space for community education and events. Our schools are a central hub for community connection, yet we lack ample space for activities and events that support our residents’ lifelong learning, well-being and engagement.
