Bloomington Public Schools is facing important choices that will shape the 2026–27 and 2027-28 school years. Enrollment changes, shifting student needs, rising costs, and an impending State of Minnesota deficit all place real pressure on how we use our resources. The School Board has approved a budget reduction plan of $5 million each for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. To remain student-centered, we must take a strategic look at how we operate today and make sustainable decisions for tomorrow.
The School Board formally adopted the District's final recommendation at its Jan. 26 meeting, which includes the following components for the 2026-27 school year:
- Increase student walk areas by .50 and .75 miles for elementary and secondary students, respectively. A proposal to change star times will be delayed to the 2027-27 school year.
- Move middle schools to a 6-period day.
- Adjust elementary staffing ratios (does not always directly equate to class size).
- Implement district and central office reductions through attrition, and optimize resource planning to better align staffing and services with student needs.
Engagement and Feedback
The district held three community information and feedback sessions to hear from parents, caregivers and staff. View the presentation slides and a recording of the Dec. 11 session to learn more about the options the district is considering to balance the budget.
- Presentation Slides
- WATCH: Dec. 11 Community Engagement Session recording
- WATCH: Dec. 9 Community Engagement Session recording
The district welcomes feedback from parents and caregivers on the options provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
The district welcomes questions and feedback from staff, families and students. Relevant and common questions and responses are added to the Frequently Asked Questions. If you have more questions beyond the FAQs, please submit them below.