The Springfield School District 186 Board on Monday approved a fiscal year 2027 budget with a projected deficit of $10.9 million. Reserve funds will drop to about 5.6 percent to cover the deficit. Board policy calls for a 15 percent reserve.
District Director of Business, Finance and Operations Steve Miller said the projected deficit increased by $2.9 million from his estimate earlier this month due to lower state reimbursements for transportation. Miller said district officials made about $7 million in cuts during the past year.
Board member Micah Miller said he has not felt this level of concern about a budget.
Springfield Education Association President Aaron Graves said signs of the financial crunch have been evident, and teachers have done their part to help alleviate it.
Superintendent Terrance Jordan said as a deficit reduction plan continues, district leaders are trying to stay away from cutting classroom resources. Jordan said administrators are meeting regularly and surveys are being distributed to identify cost-saving measures.
