Canutillo ISD trustees review plan to close roughly $5.8 million shortfall; staff cuts, property sales and safety costs on table

Canutillo Independent School District trustees and administrators spent a March 19 special workshop laying out options to close a projected operating shortfall of roughly $5.8 million and discussing how to protect classroom services while meeting contract and legal deadlines.

The district’s administration presented a packet of proposals that includes personnel reductions in central office, potential program cuts, use of fund balance and the possible sale of district property. Trustees and staff also discussed recurring safety costs tied to a state safety allotment, and operational questions about school nursing coverage, campus security models and expanded middle‑school career and technical education programs.

Why it matters: The board must adopt a balanced budget this spring and issue employment contracts in coming weeks. Administrators told trustees the district’s fund balance could fall to the low days threshold if the deficit is not addressed; the district policy cited in the workshop requires a minimum of 90 days of fund balance. Trustees signaled that some cuts could be finalized at meetings in late March and early April, and that more detailed staffing lists and timelines are needed before any final decisions are made.

What administrators presented - Projected shortfall: Administration described the current projected deficit as about $5.83 million. Staff said some budget items previously reserved in fund balance (construction or bond‑related reserves) will need to be drawn down to cover expenditures this fiscal year. - Central‑office savings: The district’s third‑party staffing review (the task study) recommended roughly $1.2 million in personnel savings through reorganization and position reductions…