Board approves FY26 budget mitigation plan, including closure of Bridal Rogers

The Board of Education voted to accept the superintendent's FY26 budget mitigation plan at a special meeting, approving measures that the district says will close most of a projected multi‑million dollar shortfall and that include the planned closure of Bridal Rogers school.

Superintendent Dr. Negron presented the mitigation package, saying the district had faced an estimated $23,200,000 deficit before recent revenue additions. Dr. Negron said contributions from the city and the state reduced the gap to about $14,600,000 and described a mix of spending cuts and staffing changes designed to close the remainder.

The plan as presented includes: cutting $1,500,000 from contract services; $1,200,000 from security and custodial overtime; $400,000 from part‑time salaries; a $200,000 reduction in travel and mileage; and $5,300,000 in staffing reductions that the presentation said include $1,800,000 in voided vacancies, $820,000 in central office cuts and $1,700,000 from classroom consolidations. Dr. Negron told the board that…