7 takeaways from Huron School District 2-2 board meeting
October 27 2025
School district cuts nearly $600,000 from budget
Board members voice concern over music and library cuts
District to shift costs to grant and nutrition funds
Board warns of future financial hurdles from state, federal levels
More budget reductions expected for 2026-27 school year
High school students earn all-state music honors
District recognizes wave of community donations
School district cuts nearly $600,000 from budget
HURON, S.D. — The Huron Board of Education reviewed a plan Monday to cut $598,000 from the 2025-26 school year budget to address a significant financial shortfall. The reductions, about 3 percent of the district’s general fund, were developed by the administrative team to avoid transferring funds from the capital outlay account. The cuts were achieved without employee layoffs and primarily target staff travel, supplies and unfilled positions. Major reductions include not filling a third-grade teaching position at Madison 2–3 Center and a science teacher position at Huron Middle School, reducing library paraprofessional staffing and shifting some paraprofessional salaries to federal Title I grant funding.
Board members voice concern over music and library cuts
HURON, S.D. — While the board did not vote on the reduction plan, several members expressed concern over specific cuts during Monday’s meeting. One board member said he was “not too pleased” with the decision to discontinue the employee recognition banquet and noted that the music programs, which make up 3.8 percent of student activity offerings, absorbed 45 percent of the activity budget reductions. Another board member also highlighted the library budget, which he stated was cut by 20 percent, calling it “very concerning.” Other members thanked administrators for their difficult work while acknowledging the painful nature of the decisions.
District to shift costs to grant and nutrition funds
HURON, S.D. — To meet its budget-reduction goals, the Huron School District will move over $100,000 in expenses from the general fund to other dedicated funds. According to a report from Business Manager Kelly Christopherson, several para-educator positions will now be paid for using federal Title I funds, which saw an increase in allocation this year. Additionally, costs for lunchroom supervision at two elementary schools and trash removal at the middle school kitchen, totaling over $43,000, will be shifted to the school nutrition budget, which Christopherson described as being in its “best shape ever.”
Board warns of future financial hurdles from state, federal levels
HURON, S.D. — The current cuts may only be the beginning of the district’s financial challenges, one board member warned Monday. Board member Garret Bischoff pointed to potential future pressures, including uncertainty around federal Title I and special education funding, as well as state-level efforts to reduce property taxes, which are a primary funding source for schools. He suggested the district may need to find creative revenue streams and encouraged looking to community resources like the Huron School District Foundation to help fund programs if general fund dollars are unavailable.
More budget reductions expected for 2026-27 school year
HURON, S.D. — While the administration finalized nearly $600,000 in cuts for the current budget cycle, officials confirmed that more difficult decisions lie ahead. Superintendent Dr. Kraig Steinhoff and Business Manager Kelly Christopherson both stated that the district will begin working on the 2026-27 budget in December. They anticipate needing to identify at least another $600,000 in reductions to ensure long-term financial stability and end the practice of using capital outlay funds to support the general fund.
High school students earn all-state music honors
HURON, S.D. — The district celebrated the achievements of 22 high school students who qualified for All-State Chorus and All-State Orchestra. Superintendent Dr. Kraig Steinhoff announced the names of the 16 chorus members and six orchestra members who will perform in Sioux Falls on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The honored students range from freshmen to seniors and represent the district’s top musical talent in voice, viola, violin and cello.
District recognizes wave of community donations
HURON, S.D. — A wide range of community partners were recognized Monday for recent contributions to the Huron School District. Superintendent Dr. Kraig Steinhoff thanked Anytime Fitness for a monetary donation to help cover negative student lunch balances and Dakotaland Federal Credit Union for donating cases of tissues to every school. Other recognized donors included individuals and businesses who provided clothing for students, pumpkins for a middle school competition and candy for the high school’s upcoming Trick-or-Treat Street event.
Sponsors (click me!)
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:
citizen journal offers three flagship products: a daily national news summary, a daily Kansas news summary, and local news and school board summaries from 12 cities across Kansas. Each issue contains 5 paragraph-length stories that are made to be read in 5 minutes. Use the links in the header to navigate to national, kansas, and local coverage. Subscribe to each, some, or all to get an email when new issues are published for FREE!
