During a recent government meeting, board members expressed significant concerns regarding a projected budget shortfall of nearly $11 million, which does not account for potential salary increases for employees. One board member highlighted the urgency of approving the budget for advertisement to secure matching state funds through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), despite reservations about the financial implications.

The board member emphasized that the current budget, as it stands, would require transferring funds from the district's fund balance, potentially dropping below the 5% threshold mandated by board policy. This situation has raised alarms about the sustainability of the district's financial health, particularly in light of rising costs and the conclusion of federal funding programs like ESSER.

Concerns were also raised about the lack of necessary budget cuts to address the shortfall, with the board member noting that the budget is not balanced and will worsen with the addition of salary packages. The discussion underscored the reliance on state revenue estimates, which may not accurately reflect local changes, such as the opening of new private schools.

While the board member acknowledged the need to move forward with the budget advertisement to secure funding, they called for \"dramatic changes\" to the budget to avoid operating at a deficit. The meeting concluded with a recognition that as the fiscal year progresses and actual Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) counts are established, the financial picture may evolve, but immediate action is required to address the looming shortfall.