Now that school is no longer in session and the sun has set on Orono’s High School– and kindergarten– graduations, the Orono school board finalized its 2023-24 revised budget and approved the 2024-25 preliminary budget.
Orono remains in fine financial shape, according to officials. Last May, Moody’s Investor Service affirmed the district’s Aa2 rating, meaning the Orono Independent School District No. 278 has a stable tax base, strong enrollment demand, and a solid financial profile.
Moody’s did not review the district this year, meaning Orono remains an Aa2 district. Orono’s Director of Business Services Nick Taintor explained that this rating is important for future investment when Orono seeks bonds.
The district’s enrollment continues to grow with a projected 2,993 students in 2024-25. The district was home to 2,923 students in 2023-24 as measured on October 1, 2023.
While the district expended $70,220,069 in 2023-24 compared to the budget revenue of $64,677,933, this largely had to do with expenses towards the Building Construction Fund.
The $5,708,469 spent that this fund tracked were from bonds that were issued on June 1, 2023. These bonds were technically sold in the 2022-23 fiscal year, but the projects were completed in the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Last year, then-director of business services Jim Westrum relayed that the district spent roughly $5,000,000 less than revenue ($62,000,000 vs. $67,000,000) in 2022-23 to account for this future budget.
Taintor reports that Orono has received and expended all remaining Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds that were instituted to help cover COVID-related costs. These funds tally $175,810 and go towards the 2023-24 year, though the district may look into rolling over these funds into ensuing years if possible.
After receiving $117,663 in aid from the State’s Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act last year, Orono will receive another $106,233 this year.
This funding is intended to help schools implement the READ Act, which was signed last year to “have every Minnesota child reading at or above grade level every year, beginning in kindergarten, and to support multilingual learner and students receiving special education services in achieving their individualized reading goals.” The Act is based on “evidence-based reading instruction” like phonics and phonemic awareness.
As is customary to prepare for the next school year, the Board also approved the 2024-25 Strategic Plan. Strategic Plans outline a district’s plan to achieve its goals, its mission and values, and steps to how they can be achieved.
There were a few revisions and additions to the Plan. The Mission Statement now reads, “Inspiring and empowering every student to achieve their highest potential through exceptional experiences.”
In addition to a mission statement, Orono Schools created a Vision - “Orono Schools will inspire lifelong learners and ethical citizens who positively impact our world.”
This mission and vision will be fulfilled through a combination of values and strategies, of which Orono Schools made an addition to. On top of the existing values of Excellence, Resilience, Relationships, Inclusion, Global Perspectives, and Stewardship, Orono identified Community as a new value. Orono Schools will “Create connections and support where all individuals grow, thrive, and positively contribute to our collective well-being.”
The full 2024-25 Strategic Plan will be available at oronoschools.org .
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