District overview
Union County School District
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
A small district working its way out of a deficit under state oversight
Union County School District serves Lake Butler and the rest of Union County, Florida. It has three schools: Lake Butler Elementary, Lake Butler Middle and Union County High; in 2026-27 the middle school was merged into the high school. Most of its money comes from Florida's school-funding formula (FEFP), which pays per student. Enrollment kept falling, and the state cut 2025-26 funding by about $1.42 million (about 7%). The state auditor had already found a general fund deficit of about $1 million at June 30, 2025. The district cut costs, took emergency state help, renewed a $1 million line of credit and is now overseen by a state Financial Emergency Board.
Funding follows students
A drop in October 2025 enrollment led to a $1,422,565 cut in state funding mid-year.
Cuts in 2025-26
$470,036 in savings, including board-paid benefits removed, sick-leave buyback frozen, unfilled jobs and less courtesy busing.
State oversight
The Financial Emergency Board approved the 2026-27 budget and reviews contracts and staffing plans.
Asking voters for capital money
A 15-year half-cent sales tax for buildings, buses and technology (2027-2041) is planned for the 2026 general election ballot.
By June and July 2026, district finance staff projected a positive general fund balance at the start and end of 2026-27, and the September TRIM hearing adopted a 'lean' budget.
Where the district stands
Major projects
New two-story Lake Butler Elementary School
pausedA replacement elementary school paid for by the state's special facility program. The board chose a two-story design and hired a project manager, but the state placed a one-year hold on the project.
- Board picks two-story design; $1.5 million first draw for land and surveys
- Pathway Project Consulting ranked first for project manager
- Project manager agreement approved
- Finance director reports a one-year state hold
- CRA Architects and Parrish McCall Constructors update the board
Funding
State special facility construction funds (restricted to the project)
Half-cent sales tax for school capital needs
plannedMoney would pay for air conditioning, roofs, fire alarms, buses, technology, security and athletic facilities, and could back bonds.
- Staff told to research the tax
- Board approves ballot language
- OPPAGA audit received; information campaign begins
Funding
0.5% county sales surtax, January 2027-December 2041, if voters approve
Combining the middle and high schools
underwayFifth grade moved to Lake Butler Elementary and grades 6-12 were combined under Union County High School. The middle school building is still in use.
- Restructuring proposed at workshop
- State approves 8:00 a.m. start for UCHS combination school
- Security access controls moved for the new UCHS footprint
Funding
Cost savings from staffing and operations
Recent news
School board agendas, minutes, agenda attachments and meeting audio from the district's public Google Drive folders linked on the School Board page, October 2025 to October 2026. Scanned PDFs were read with OCR, and meeting audio was transcribed.
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