The Randolph County Board of Education heard a detailed budget reduction plan Tuesday as Superintendent Dr. Gainey told the board the district has identified $3,086,306.80 in reductions to close a budget gap while avoiding staff layoffs.

The plan matters because the district faces a larger, state-driven funding risk: officials said state “low-wealth” allotments appear likely to decline by $2,400,000 compared with 2019–20 levels, a change that would open a material shortfall for next year.

Dr. Gainey, the superintendent, said staff and cabinet members worked across departments to find savings and that the district pulled $900,000 from fund balance in May to close the year (about $800,000 of that was used). “We have accounted for $3,086,306.80,” he said, listing eliminations of vacant positions, contract changes and program closures as the primary measures.

Among the reductions described: elimination of several vacant positions (payroll specialist, textbook clerk and other classified and certificated vacancies), targeted “miscellaneous personnel” savings and reassignments of positions funded by restricted program dollars. The superintendent explained that some categorical funds (for example, CTE and EC) are restricted and cannot be repurposed freely, so savings were sought predominantly in locally controlled lines.

Operational and vendor changes were identified as major sources of savings. The district said it removed 41 unused analog telephone lines and converted central office lines to digital, yielding about $19,534.44 plus $2,184.52 in recurring savings for central-office lines. The custodial services contract was reworked so that 14 long-term substitute custodian positions moved to the contract provider, generating roughly $404,000 in savings; the district said it will more tightly manage the use of contract substitute custodians because of hourly-rate differences.

The presentation also included $67,251.55 in savings from renegotiated copy/print rates and other supply reductions, plus smaller efficiencies such as reduced rounds for lawn service and reduced staff-development spending (approximately $45,000). The superintendent said the district is short about $213,693.20 of the $3.3 million target and is working on gaining another roughly $88,000 tied to contractual limits on how many positions may be added to the custodial contract this year.

The superintendent described one program cut specifically: the closure of the social-emotional learning program at Newmarket, a move that saved approximately $245,000; the district also said it had previously received about $115,000 per year from Trillium and Sandhills (merged providers) in support for mental-health services related to the program. The district said staff who worked in the program have been placed in other positions where possible.

Board members asked for clarifications about the sources of savings and how restricted funds (for special programs, CTE, EC and Medicaid-billed services) may be used; the superintendent and staff emphasized the limits on moving categorical dollars. Board member Mr. Burgess praised staff efforts and said he supported the superintendent’s approach.

Discussion vs. formal action: the board did not vote on individual cuts during the public presentation. Several consent and personnel items were later approved by vote as part of the meeting’s consent agenda and post–closed-session items (see actions), but the budget reductions described were presented as staff actions and planned adjustments rather than individual board motions.

Next steps: staff said they will continue pursuing the remaining reductions and monitor the state budget process; they noted the district’s final position depends on whether the state revises the low-wealth allocations before the start of the fiscal year.

Ending: The superintendent asked for continued flexibility from the board and staff as the district finishes the fiscal year and finalizes the 2025–26 budget, noting the district’s priority to open schools on schedule and to minimize personnel layoffs where possible.