A revised budget update was presented during the school board meeting last Monday night and the Blue Earth Area School Board decided to increase staffing.
Fiscal Services Coordinator Alan Wilhelmi presented the budget update, show that the District is in good financial shape for the next fiscal year.
Superintendent Mandy Fletcher proposed to increase staffing in certain areas for this next school year, 2023-2024.
Those areas included adding another class section for second and third grades, adding an English Language Arts Instructor for sixth grade and one in the high school, and an Assistant Principal/Behavior Specialist.
Board members questioned the cost, which Fletcher estimates to be approximately $450,000 for next school year.
After some discussion, the Board voted in favor of adding the proposed new staff members for the next year, however, just on a one year trial basis to see how the benefits weigh against the cost of the new additions.