Fargo Public Schools propose over five million in budget cuts for next school year

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — The Fargo Public School Board announced early this week its plans to save the district more funding for the next school year. Which includes a reduction in staffing positions.

“That is not necessarily all people. Some of those are combinations, some of those positions that we’ve had this year that we didn’t fill that we’ll now be able to take out of our budget and realize that value. So it’s not necessarily 56 people, but 56 positions,” said Dr. Cory Steiner, Fargo Public School Board Superintendent.

The goal for the budget reduction was set at $4.5 million. But with the reduction in positions as well as subscriptions and software no longer needed, the budget reduction is now estimated at $5.3 million.

“We have to take into account all the additional things that will cost us more money next year, which are salary increases, which are increases in rates for electricity, water, garbage. All those things that you know are going to go up, but we don’t know necessarily the number,” said Steiner.

While the reductions may seem large now, Steiner said they are also working to find avenues for revenue.

“So we’ve looked at some other areas in terms of fee structures that we are going to implement next year to help generate some revenue. So it’s a combination of reductions, cuts, reorganization, and additional revenue,” said Steiner.

The 2026-2027 budget is expected to be finalized by June.