Balancing fiscal responsibility with educational stability, the budget proposal aims to enhance student support amidst school consolidation and staffing adjustments
As we approach the final stages of our budget planning for the upcoming school year, we want to provide you with an update on the proposed budget and new school configurations for the 2026-27 school year.
At the Board of Education meeting on March 23, the board set a spending limit of $67,155,932 for the next school year. This is a 0.97% increase from the current year’s spending. The budget stays within the district’s tax cap of 1.78%, meeting state regulations and focusing on the needs of our students and community.
In addition to the proposed budget, there will be two additional propositions included on the May 19 ballot, neither of which impact the tax levy for the 2026-27 budget:
- Proposition 2, which seeks approval for the purchase of a new 57-passenger diesel bus
- Proposition 3, which centers on infrastructure construction at the transportation facility
During the budget workshop, Superintendent Susan Swartz and Business Manager Andrew Giaquinto outlined a budget proposal that manages staffing cuts, reducing 19 instructional and 13.61 non-instructional positions, along with administrative changes, while maintaining overall resource balance and student support. Due to attrition, unfilled vacancies, and positions filled by outside agencies, a total of 17.75 staff members are impacted. Among these, 4 have already been reassigned within the district for next year.
- Instructional Staff: 19 positions, including 8 teachers, 1 principal, and 1 teaching assistant due to the closure of Glen-Worden Elementary School
- Non-Instructional Staff: A total reduction of 13.61 positions, including nurses, custodians, monitors, and secretarial roles
Board feedback and concerns
In response to staff reductions and retention challenges related to the closure of Glen-Worden Elementary School, the board inquired about exploring ways to adjust external contracts and services to align with the new budget constraints.
Communicating elementary changes and supporting families
Key transitions, such as the closure of Glen-Worden Elementary and the introduction of a new three-school configuration, will feature ongoing communication and community events. During the first week of April, all currently enrolled K-4 students and their families will receive a letter through the mail and ParentSquare, informing them of their 2026-2027 elementary school placement according to the new rezoning. To support families and students, emotional support measures, including social worker visits and a parent webinar, have been put in place. You can find new details on the “Reimagining Our Schools” webpage.