Springfield Public Schools is preparing to carefully watch expenses for the upcoming school year due to declining state funds and enrollment. The district’s draft budget includes pay raises for employees, but also cuts the equivalent of nearly 70 full-time positions across the district.

Budget Breakdown

The board heard preliminary budget numbers on June 9, which anticipates revenues of $373,398,434 and expenditures of $374,046,190 for the 2026-27 school year. The budget reflects promises of flat funding expected from the state, with SPS expecting to receive $108,931,406 in state funding, down from $111,385,693 in the current year.

State funding accounts for about 29% of the district’s income for the upcoming year, with the largest portion of revenue coming from local property taxes. The district estimates an increase of $4,673,277 in property taxes this year, based on a non-reassessment year, $50 million in new construction, and a 95% collection rate.

Expenses and Positions

The lower-than-expected income means the district is watching expenses. As part of employee salary increases, the district is planning to spend an additional $6,487,691. Benefits spending will increase by $379,912. Collective bargaining between SPS and 10 employee groups has completed, with results expected to be presented during the next meeting.

A handful of positions will be added, including $48,952 for positions related to special education, $103,228 for full-time and part-time bus drivers, and $79,821 for a 504 process coordinator. However, far more positions are being eliminated, with the equivalent of 66.78 full-time positions being cut for a savings of $4.3 million.

Deputy Superintendent of Operations Travis Shaw said that all the cuts were handled through attrition, and without layoffs. Employees affected by realignments were given the opportunity to apply for other positions across the district.

Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.