SPS lays out $15M in planned budget cuts

Last edited 7:07 a.m., Nov. 19, 2024 [Editor's note: A typo has been fixed near the bottom of the article.]

Springfield Public Schools is making tens of millions of dollars in budget cuts amid an expected reduction in funding, and staff reductions are included, officials with the district say.

District leaders held a news conference with media this morning to detail $15 million in cuts planned over the next two budget years. That's on top of $15 million in expenditures cut in the current operating budget, according to a human resources message sent to employees on Nov. 15 and shared with Springfield Business Journal.

"Some savings will be gained by reducing costs related to purchased services, supplies, maintenance, etc. However, roughly 80% of the district’s operating budget is allocated to employee salary and benefits," the message to staff reads. "Achieving the savings necessary will require reducing positions. While partial savings may be achieved through attrition as employees retire or resign, it is necessary to eliminate some positions at all levels, including administration, departments and schools."

SPS Chief Communications Officer Stephen Hall said this morning that $10.5 million is anticipated to be cut from the fiscal 2026 budget, with nearly $8.6 million coming from a reduction of salaries and benefits and the remainder from reduced purchased services and supplies.

District leaders provided an information sheet that points to 59 full-time equivalent roles being cut through attrition and 68 via separation. Another 15 FTEs are being cut through the elimination of additional days that have been paid for some roles. Combined, that equates to the equivalent of 142 FTEs, with an effective date of June 30, 2025.

The jobs include positions that are currently vacant, and impacted employees would have the chance to apply for other jobs in the district. A $1,500 one-time incentive is available to eligible employees for early notification of separation.

"Although you might see a cut, most of the educators on here will have a place to land if they so choose to land," Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. "They have an opportunity to move to another position in the district."

Lathan said no programs are recommended for removal in the fiscal 2026 budget.

SPS officials pointed to the expiration of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, known as ESSER, and increased general costs of doing business as reasons for the cuts.