MINOT, ND (KXNET) — This month, Minot Public School leaders approved their budget for the next year. One of their priorities was to cut the deficit without having to cut unnecessary programs. The recently passed budget for next year totals around $129 million. Earlier this year, Minot School Board members were working with around a $3.1 million deficit. The school district has been operating in a deficit for eight of the last 10 years and last year, they had more than $2 million in deficit spending. Minot Schools Superintendent, Dr. Scott Faul, says staffing is the biggest cost, totaling around $107 million, which is paying for salaries of teachers and school employees. Last spring, the board voted to close two elementary schools, but Dr. Faul says the cost of opening new schools means added expenses. Cooking with KX: Apple & Veggie Pheasant Roast "We opened up a new high school, there's gonna be efficiencies that become apparent to us as we go through the school year, and we'll continue to work on that and look for ways to save money and we also opened a new middle school," said Dr. Faul. Dr. Faul says Minot Public Schools has a savings account that can bail the school out in certain situations, it's at about $19 million, right now. But the district is also asking for nearly $300,000 in more property taxes for next year. However, Dr. Faul says that with growing enrollment and teachers entering contract negotiations next spring, the budget is one challenge the district can put behind them. "On to negotiation seasons, there's certain dollar amounts that get allocated to Minot Public from the state of North Dakota and that's another way, all those problems kind of take care of themselves if we get more students that will help balance the budget," said Dr. Faul. For the last school year, MPS's enrollment was at 7,567 students according to the state. While teachers will be negotiating new contracts this April, Dr. Faul says he is ready to work with everyone to retain teachers and staff in the school district. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW