BYRON, MINN. – Facing mounting pressure over the district's mishandling of its finances, Byron Public Schools Superintendent Mike Neubeck said Friday that he will resign at the end of the school year.

His announcement follows months of financial uncertainty after a $1.5 million miscalculation was discovered in last year's budget. Neubeck's administration has struggled since then to win back the community's trust. In November, voters rejected the district's request for a $1.9 million levy increase by a 16-point margin.

In a statement, the district said Neubeck decided to resign after discussion with members of the school board. His last day will be June 30.

"This decision is made with a shared commitment to ensuring the stability of the district while maintaining a continued focus on our mission to serve students, staff, and the community," the district said.

"Dr. Neubeck's decision provides the Byron School District with the necessary time and opportunity to hire a new superintendent."

Reached Friday, Neubeck declined to comment.

The school district's financial woes were made public in the spring when it revealed a financial miscalculation related to labor negotiations in the previous year. While a long-awaited audit of the 2023-24 budget won't be completed until later this month, Neubeck told parents last week that preliminary findings show the district with a $2 million shortfall, primarily because of the miscalculation.

The combination of the oversight and rejected levy request has led the district to propose $1.6 million in additional cuts to next year's school budget. In the meantime, the district's balances are so low that the board voted last week to borrow $3.5 million to make a debt-service payment due in January.

Neubeck said he will present recommendations on budget reductions in early February. He also suggested the district may pursue another operating referendum next November.

Neubeck was hired to lead the Byron district in 2021 after serving as a principal in Mahtomedi. In his first year on the job, he led a successful capital campaign with voters approving $44.5 million in funding for improvements to athletic facilities and additional classroom space at the high school.

The district, which is about 10 miles west of Rochester, has about 2,200 students. It consistently ranks toward the top in student test scores when compared with districts of its size.