Interim superintendent Catty Moore’s voice caught in her throat multiple times as she announced the staff reductions deemed necessary to help balance the budget. 

“I acknowledge that this recommendation will impact lives,” Moore said at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting. “It will cause uncertainty, anxiety, anger — a myriad of reactions, all valid.” 

The recommendations come from HIL Consultants’ final report which includes reductions in the following areas:

• Additional central office staff reductions
• Additional school-based non-instructional staffing reductions 
• Exceptional Children Program staffing 
• Assistant principals — aiming to eliminate 36 positions and reduce more to 10-month contracts 

The total number of eliminated positions will be between 300 and 350, resulting in a projected savings of $19-$25 million for the 2025-2026 school year. 

“We are a people enterprise; 85% of our budget is salaries and benefits,” Moore said before explaining how the district has already cut as much of its non-personnel costs as possible: “There is no more ‘stuff’ left.”

The district cites declining enrollment, decreases in funding, and insufficient funds to continue programs and staffing at current levels as the reasons for these reductions in force. 

Moore also announced the State Auditor’s office will release its investigative audit findings soon. 

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