Fridley superintendent frames SOD recovery strategy after ICE-related enrollment dip; district posts 90% graduation rate

Superintendent Dr. Brenda Lewis told the Fridley Public Schools board on April 7 that enrollment is the district's main driver of revenue and that an "ICE Metro Surge" had reduced the district's student count relative to budgeted expectations. The superintendent urged recruitment, retention and program expansion to recover the October 1, 2025 ADM count that underpins state funding calculations.

"One of the biggest drivers obviously in public education budgets is really enrollment," Lewis said, reviewing a 10-year history showing prior highs and recent declines. She said the district recorded an official October 1 count that was higher than current attendance because some students were lost after an ICE enforcement surge.

Dr. Cochran summarized instructional and post-secondary supports — including a federally funded 'Get Ready' grant and expanded concurrent enrollment — and announced the district's four-year graduation rate: "Fridley public schools had a 90% four-year graduation rate for the class of 2025," he said, adding that Fridley High School's rate was 94.7%.

Lewis presented parts of the SOD (Statutory Operating Debt) plan designed to maintain the October 1 count through targeted recruitment (early childhood outreach and marketing), retention (transition supports at critical grades), and program offerings (expanded concurrent enrollment and Vista programming). She warned that open-enrollment dynamics in the metro area make exact forecasting difficult and said monitoring will rely on Minnesota Department of Education reports and new-student registration metrics.

Board members asked about enrollment projections and how the district will respond to potential further outflows. Lewis said the district will report enrollment and budget variances to the board and will pursue targeted marketing, program growth and family outreach to stabilize counts.

No board action was taken on the SOD module at the meeting; the superintendent said the SOD one-pager and recordings are available on the district website for public review.