October 13, 2025

Minnewaska’s Financial Reality — Facts vs. Misinformation

At Minnewaska Area Schools, we welcome tough questions about how your tax dollars are spent. Healthy debate makes our schools stronger. Recently, some claims have circulated suggesting that the district is ‘mismanaging money.’ The facts tell a different story. This article shares clear financial information so community members can see for themselves the steps we’ve taken to be good stewards of public funds.

Our Fund Balance (“Savings Account”)

Coming out of COVID, Minnewaska had over $3.6 million in unrestricted fund balance, above the Board’s goal. We used part of that fund balance strategically to invest in updated curriculum, settle staff contracts, launch back-to-school boot camps, and make one-time operational improvements. Over two years (FY23–FY24), these planned investments reduced the balance by about $1.1 million (34%), leaving a projected $2.2 million (≈10% of expenditures) by the end of this fiscal year. That is still within board policy, but required us to take responsible action.

Enrollment and Revenue Impact

Enrollment drives revenue. Each student who leaves represents about $10,608.47 in lost funding. Since the start of the pandemic, homeschooling has increased by over 100 students. FY25 saw 30 fewer students, and FY26 is projected to decline by another 30. These shifts required us to adjust staffing and budgets responsibly.

FY25 Staffing Changes — Implemented

Leaving Replacement Position Net Savings
PT Testing Coordinator N/A Testing Coord. $39,354
7-12 Science N/A Teacher $88,454
K-6 teacher NEW K-6 teacher Teacher $51,129
K-12 SPED teacher New K-12 SPED Teacher $30,071
HS Music HS Music Teacher $-28,940
7-12 Social Studies-reduction N/A Teacher $39,342
K-12 SPED teacher N/A Teacher $88,793
7-12 Social Studies New 7-12 Social Teacher Teacher $52,710
K-12 SPED teacher Internal Teacher $98,351
MH Professional N/A MH Prof $100,307
MH Practitioner N/A MH Practitioner $67,761
K-12 Art Teacher N/A Teacher $41,781
MH Practitioner New MH Practitioner MH Practitioner $44
WIN Teacher New WIN Teacher Teacher $16,858
Total Savings $686,016

FY26 Staffing Changes — Implemented

Leaving Replacement Position Net Savings
PT/CE Director .5 reassigned duties (cost savings) Comm Ed Director $32,463
MH Professional Lakeland Mental Health (change in model to save money) Mental Health Professional $56,354
K-6 teacher Internal Teacher $66,068
K-12 SPED teacher Internal Teacher $114,283
PT Science Teacher N/A Teacher $15,526
PT Art Teacher N/A Teacher $9,645
PT Social Studies Teacher N/A Teacher $22,095
MH Professional N/A Mental Health Professional $112,424
MH Practitioner N/A Mental Health Practitioner $59,973
MH Practitioner N/A Mental Health Practitioner $34,903
K-12 PE teacher N/A Teacher $68,097
K-6 teacher Internal Teacher $116,935
Clerical Internal Non-certified $63,994
7-12 math teacher N/A Teacher $91,468
K-6 teacher Internal Teacher $115,783
Total Savings $980,011

Other Cost Efficiencies

We have also found savings in other areas:

  • Rainbow Rider transportation adjustments saved $75,000–$100,000 in FY25.
  • Printer consolidation is projected to save 28% in printing costs.
  • Ongoing program realignments and vendor adjustments continue to drive efficiencies.

Why These Decisions Matter

These actions were not easy. They involved reassigning staff, not filling positions, and restructuring services — but they were necessary to protect classroom instruction and stabilize the district’s finances. Projected retirements in the next few years, coupled with new technology levy dollars beginning this year, will help maintain stability while allowing for continued investment in students and infrastructure.

Myths vs. Facts: Setting the Record Straight

❌ Claim: “Minnewaska School District wants to use grant money to pay for a daycare inside the school?”
✅ Fact: Minnewaska has secured $1.8 million in USDA discretionary grant funds and $1 million from Pope County to address a critical regional childcare shortage. This is not a diversion of educational dollars—it is new, external funding specifically designated to help communities solve childcare access issues.

❌ Claim: “Administrative Bloat at Minnewaska — too many administrators compared to Alexandria.”
✅ Fact: This comparison mixes administrators with student support roles. Many positions are tied to WIN Academy, serving high-need students (including from outside the district). These positions are funded partly by special education revenue and tuition billing, not local general education dollars.

❌ Claim: “The district is mismanaging money by spending down its fund balance irresponsibly.”
✅ Fact: The unrestricted fund balance was strategically used for one-time investments in curriculum, staffing, and programs. Even after a planned $1.1 million reduction, the balance remains within Board policy. At the same time, $1.67 million in staffing reductions (FY25–FY26) have been implemented to stabilize ongoing costs.

❌ Claim: “WIN Academy is a drain on district resources and adds unnecessary administrative overhead.”
✅ Fact: WIN Academy is a revenue-generating program, not a financial burden. Depending on enrollment, WIN brings in an average net gain of $350,000 to $525,000 annually through a combination of:

  • State Care and Treatment reimbursement
  • MA (Medical Assistance) third-party billing services
  • Tuition and service billing for students from other districts

These revenues offset staffing costs and support specialized services required by law for high-need students. In addition, WIN has a positive economic impact on the community of Starbuck and the surrounding area, supporting local employment and services. Far from being “overhead,” WIN Academy is an integral, sustainable program that serves students and strengthens the district financially.

Additional Financial Information

For those who wish to review the full financial picture, the following resources are available:

Sincerely,
Chip Rankin
Superintendent, Minnewaska Area Schools

Minnewaska Area Schools