Fayette County board approves 2025–26 budget, organizational chart; orders staff reductions and position list

Fayette County Board of Education members approved the district—s 2025–26 budget and organizational chart and voted to reduce licensed and nonlicensed positions as part of a package of actions to close a multi-million dollar shortfall. The board also directed the director of schools to compile and present a list of positions that conform to the approved budget. The actions were taken April 29 during a special-called Finance/Transportation Committee meeting and a subsequent voting session at the Fayette County Criminal Justice Center in Somerville.

Board members said the district has been working to reduce a previously reported multi-million-dollar deficit. Board discussion included figures presented to trustees that at various points described an initial roughly $5 million shortfall that had been reduced to about $2.5 million; elsewhere in the meeting staff noted the district was about $2 million over budget and might draw on reserves. The board also discussed receipt of TISA (Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement) funds and a proposed five-year maintenance plan with an estimated $30 million in projected costs.

During deliberations, board members discussed options to lower payroll costs in response to a decline in district enrollment and associated revenue loss over the past decade. Board Chairman Warner Speakman moved that, consistent with state law, the board take steps to reduce and eliminate licensed and nonlicensed positions to lower payroll costs; Dr. Mike Brown seconded the motion. Board member Myles Wilson moved to amend, proposing that the superintendent request the County Commission provide the funding necessary to balance the budget, including Pre-K funding; Melanie McGuire seconded the amendment. The amendment was defeated by a roll-call vote, three in favor and five opposed (Wilson, McGuire and Rounds voted yes; Speakman, Miller, Brown, Reeves and Trimm voted no). The board then voted on the original motion to reduce positions and to proceed with the organizational changes; that motion passed 6–2.

The board entered the organizational chart into the record as required by Policy 5.116, and approved Budget Documents 141, 142 and 143 for submission. By roll call the board approved a motion directing the director of schools to compile and present to the board a list of licensed and nonlicensed positions that comply with the approved organizational chart and budget. The board also voted to approve and submit the 2025–26 budget to the County Commission by May 1.

The meeting record shows the board discussed the Voluntary Pre-K program and stated that the program will be funded solely through the dedicated grant for that program; the district will not allocate additional general fund dollars for Pre-K. The proposed budget presented to trustees included a 4.15% salary increase across the board while also including some staff position reductions. The district reported employing 168 teachers and said it is working on rebalancing student-teacher ratios.

Public commenters addressed the budget and potential cuts during both sessions of the meeting. Board counsel (listed in the minutes as Attorney Minor) advised that public-comment opportunities are required by statute and board policy when the board meets in such matters, and the board allowed public comment before proceeding to the voting session.

The motion to approve the budget, organizational chart, and the related directives passed by recorded roll-call votes in the second session. The board adjourned at 7:02 p.m.