Recommended budget includes restructuring, emphasizes high-quality instruction

District 191 Superintendent Dr. Latanya Daniels presented her budget vision and recommendation for the 2026-27 school year to the Board of Education at its March 12 meeting. Members of the community are invited to review the proposal and provide feedback using the form below, or attend a public presentation on March 25 at 6 p.m. Diamondhead Education Center, 200 W. Burnsville Pkwy. in Burnsville.

Several factors are expected to have a significant influence on the district’s financial outlook, including a likely reduction in some state aid and an expected decline in enrollment. 

Along with responding to those factors, Dr. Daniels noted that her recommendations were built in direct response to what she heard during "Listen & Learn" sessions with staff and community members, as well as through school and program visits and conversations with staff and families over the past eight months. 

Reorganization

Re-organization at the district office would establish director positions for Special Education, Students Supports, Elementary Education and Secondary Education. Four current director positions – Individual Student Services, Pathways and Partnerships, Educational Equity and Systems Improvement & Student Achievement – and six coordinator positions at the district office would be eliminated. The changes result in a $581,000 budget savings. 

The changes remove a layer between the district and schools, with the intent of creating clearer, more aligned systems, especially in the areas of special education and student services, Daniels said.

Resources to strengthen instruction

The recommendation includes the creation of 12 learning coach positions, amounting to one position for each school in the district. 

These positions will be focused on building teacher capacity to provide high-quality, evidence-based instruction. They will also advance grade-level alignment, plan and lead professional development, and support curriculum and Pathways implementation. 

"I believe these changes will create stronger and more streamlined connections between the district office and our schools, leading to better‑aligned systems and more effective communication across the organization."

Reductions & adjustments

• Rightsizing to maintain class sizes in response to enrollment changes,
• Complete the expansion of the middle school "house model" to include 8th grade,
• Reduce elementary Advanced Learning specialist positions from 8 to 4,
• Eliminate Student Systems Leadership Specialist positions, and
• Maximize use of restricted funds to protect the general fund. 

In total, the recommendations result in about $4.2 million in budget savings. In addition, the plan uses about $10.5 million in reserves to balance the budget. Projections show the district can expect to face a budget shortfall in 2027-28, as well. 

Community members can see the full list of proposed budget adjustments and provide feedback or submit questions through April 8 at www.isd191.org/budget.  

The budget will officially be adopted in June.