Declining enrollment, state funding prompt SPS to cut 67 jobs

Last edited 11:20 a.m., June 10, 2026 [Editor's note: A name misspelling has been corrected, and a statement from an SPS official has been added.]

An expected drop in state funding and enrollment prompted Springfield Public Schools to recommend cutting nearly 67 positions.

The move is expected to save $4.3 million in spending during the 2027 fiscal year.

Travis Shaw, deputy superintendent of operations, said the reductions were part of the annual budget process.

“District leaders carefully review enrollment trends, staffing needs, and operational expenses to ensure resources are aligned with student needs and district priorities,” he said in a statement. “For the 2026-27 school year, this review identified opportunities to improve organizational efficiency while maintaining the district’s commitment to providing students high-quality educational services.”

SPS has roughly 4,000 employees. SPS plans to reduce staffing by 66.7 positions.

“These changes, which included part-time, temporary and full-time positions, were achieved through attrition and are expected to save approximately $4.3 million,” Shaw said. “Employees affected by the realignment were provided opportunities to apply for other positions within the district.”

He said the savings will help cover a proposed increase in salary and benefits to help recruit and retain employees.

“By proactively managing resources and planning for changing enrollment and funding conditions, the district is strengthening its long-term financial sustainability while continuing to prioritize student success and employee support,” Shaw said.

The SPS Board of Education is expected to vote on a $374 million spending plan during the June 23 meeting. Currently, it has 4,000 employees.

An overview of changes, including fluctuations in revenue sources and expenses, was outlined by Cara Stassel, SPS executive director of business services.

“This has been a roller coaster of a year with regards to state aid,” she said.

Projected revenue for FY27 includes $217 million in local funds, $108 million in state funds and $34 million in federal funds. The rest, roughly 4%, comes from county or other funds.

Strassel said local funds are expected to up by $4.6 million next year, primarily driven by property taxes on a predicted $50 million in new construction.

State funds are expected to drop by $1.1 million, in part because the state altered the state adequacy target – a key part of the formula that determines how much aid goes to each district – from $6,900 to $6,830.

“That is the primary driver of the reduction,” she said.

SPS officials said a state incentive for districts in session at least 169 days and a change that makes aid less dependent on average daily attendance kept the state funding level from dropping more.

The district also expects $811,922 less in Proposition C funds, a statewide general sales tax for education.

Stassel said state aid for busing will revert to the lower FY25 level, which is a loss of $553,481, at the same time the cost of operating buses is more expensive.

As part of the budget overview, Stassel outlined increases and decreases. The largest is $6.4 million to increase salaries and provide the employer match for benefits such as retirement and Social Security.

The district engages in collective bargaining with groups represented by Teamsters Local No. 245 and the Springfield National Education Association. Details about the salary and benefits changes are expected to be presented June 23.

Public school enrollment has been dropping across Missouri because fewer children were born since the Great Recession and more families are electing homeschool or private school options. Enrollment projections for the 2026-27 school year will be firmed up closer to the first day of class, Aug. 25.

Of the 24,639 SPS students enrolled during the spring semester, 2,438 – or nearly 10% – were online only through Launch Virtual Learning or the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program known as MOCAP.

Despite plans to cut nearly 67 positions, the district has proposed adding 13 full-time and two part-time staffers in the following areas:

• $448,952 for three registered behavior technicians, four paraprofessionals and two speech language pathologists in special education

• $103,228 for one full-time and one part-time transportation trainer

• $79,821 for a process coordinator for students with special needs

• $75,391 for an Outdoor Pursuits teacher, funded as part of a community partnership

• $52,000 for a part-time elementary athletics and activities coordinator

• $36,616 for early childhood special education paraprofessional, which is covered by special education funds

Stassel also outlined purchased services and supplies that increased. For example, the district expects to spend more for school meals and a program that helps train future educators.

No budget-related vote was taken during the June 9 meeting and three of the seven board members – Sarah Hough, Danielle Kincaid and Shurita Thomas-Tate – were not present.