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Gainesville City Schools delays final budget timeline, cites House Bill 581 software delays
Summary
District staff told the Gainesville City Schools Board they plan to postpone final budget adoption and reduce required hearings after state software changes tied to House Bill 581 slowed access to digest numbers; a tentative budget would be adopted June 16 with hearings in July if the schedule holds.
Gainesville City Schools staff told the school board they plan to push the district’s final budget adoption later than usual because statewide software changes tied to House Bill 581 have delayed property digest numbers used to set millage rates.
Under the plan presented, the board would adopt a tentative budget at its June 16 meeting, then hold three required hearings: one at 6 p.m. on July 7 following a work session, and two hearings on July 21 (11 a.m. and 5 p.m.). The board would consider adopting the final budget and millage rate at the 5:30 p.m. July 21 meeting. Staff said the schedule is tentative and could shift into July or early August if digest information arrives later than expected.
Why it matters: adopting a tentative budget without immediately setting a millage rate is intended to avoid adopting and then revising the rate later; the change also reduces the number of public hearings from five to three under the proposed timetable.
District staff described enrollment and staffing context that staff said informs budget choices. Enrollment this year rose to just under 8,500 students and is projected to increase by about 200 next year. Staff reported certified positions (teachers and other certificated professionals) have moved from roughly 600 over several years to modest increases in recent years; they said the district expects to add about six certified positions next year and estimated a ratio of about 13.6 students per certified teacher.
Administratively, staff said full-time equivalent administrative positions are expected to be about 41 next year, down from as high as 46 over the prior seven-year span. Special education staffing increased to 60 special education teachers after a low during the COVID years.
Staff also described benefits and retirement cost pressures. They said the district’s per-employee health insurance cost has risen sharply: in 2023 the district paid $11,340 annually for classified staff and $15,150 for certified staff; staff presented a projection that next year’s per-employee cost will be $22,620. Staff explained the district’s state-certified allotment and Teacher Retirement System (TRS) mechanics: the district receives a TRS allotment equal to roughly 21.91% of average salary for positions the state funds, employees contribute 6%, and the combined employer/employee share is therefore about 28% of salary in many cases.
The superintendent’s office said it will bring a resolution in June that would permit adoption after June if digest timing requires it. No formal vote to adopt this revised timeline was recorded in the meeting transcript; board members discussed the plan and asked for supporting tables and supplemental breakdowns for public communication.
Next steps: staff will present the proposed resolution in June and monitor digest software updates; hearing dates were stated as part of the tentative schedule.
