Enrollment down 455 students and about 70 positions over formula, reserves falling

What happened

At the September 16, 2026 meeting the Department of Education's school finance staff presented a sustainability analysis. Enrollment fell by 455 students from 2022 to 2026, and the district employed about 70 positions above the state funding formula: about 41 professional (including extended contract days) and about 27.5 service. The unrestricted fund balance has fallen from about $9 million a few years ago to about $4-5 million, or 16.7% of general fund revenue. In February the superintendent said he aimed to cut about 30 to 35 positions this personnel season. The excess levy, now bringing in about $8.8 million a year, pays for many locally funded positions.

Why it matters to families

Because state aid follows enrollment, every lost student cuts revenue. Positions above the formula are paid from local money and reserves, so if staffing does not shrink with enrollment the fund balance keeps falling. More staffing cuts or school consolidation decisions are likely in the spring 2027 personnel season.

The evidence

September 16 recording (about 00:43:44 for 16.7%; about 01:05:30 for positions over formula; about 02:19:08 for the 455-student decline). February 26 recording: a 302-student decline over two years, 66 positions over formula and a goal of cutting 30-35. Figures were spoken in the meetings and read from auto-generated captions.

The source