Like many other districts across the region, Duluth Public Schools (DPS) are facing budget issues.

WDIO recently reported that the school was proposing cuts of $5 million in order to cover the difference in funding gaps for the 2025-26 school year.

Since announcing the cuts, many in the community have been reaching out to the district and school board to voice their concerns about how the financial strain will impact the district’s 15 schools.

On March 18, the DPS school board held their monthly meeting, preceded by it’s monthly listening session. The session is an opportunity for community members to speak directly to members.

Over a dozen took the opportunity to do so, including parents, faculty, and students themselves. Most used their time to address certain proposed cuts. Four students from Duluth East spoke in support of their school’s Dean of Students (DOS), who’s job could be impacted by cuts.

“I feel more motivated to be the best version of myself, and a huge part of that is because of our DOS. It is rare for students to have a strong trust and relationship with an administrator, but our DOS has shown that it should not have to be rare. He is proof that when students have someone to turn to, someone who listens and genuinely cares, they can thrive.” Said Lyssa, a Duluth East junior.

“Losing our D-O-S wouldn’t just be losing a staff member. It would mean students losing someone who truly cares, someone who makes school feel like a place where they belong. He has had an undeniable impact on the athletes he coaches, the students he mentors, and the culture of East as a whole.” Added Elizabeth, an East senior.

Duluth’s superintendent John Magas says that he sympathized with community members who testified, but said the cuts will have to happen.

“I sincerely do not like to make these reductions, but unfortunately, we’re in an economic state where this is a necessity,” Magas said in an interview with WDIO, “We went to the taxpayers twice, and we went for a referendum. And I know that there was pushback, that we’re going back twice. But the reason we went twice is because we knew that these reductions were coming.”

Others raised concerns about the displacement of some Library Media Specialists in the district.

“Our media specialist is invaluable in assisting students with research, curating diverse reading materials and fostering a love for books. She teaches students how to evaluate sources, navigate databases and think critically an essential skill in today’s digital world.” Said one teacher who gave testimony.

Duluth schools receive about $140,000 annually from the state of Minnesota under the School Library Aid Law. While Magas told WDIO this money is allocated for media specialists, he said the district currently employs more specialists than that figure can pay for.

The district says the proposed cuts will be finalized and voted on in June of this year.