Board approves revised school‑level staffing ratios to address 2025‑26 budget shortfall

The Marion County School Board approved revised school‑level staffing ratios for the 2025‑26 school year on Tuesday as part of the district’s response to a budget shortfall.

The change increases pupil‑to‑teacher ratios at multiple grade bands and adjusts paraprofessional guidelines for special programs; board members characterized the step as a less‑harmful alternative to widespread layoffs.

Assistant superintendent Maria Morant and staff presented the revised ratios, noting the updates follow work‑session deliberations. Key changes include increasing K–3 and grades 5 and 6 ratios to 1:24, grades 6–8 to 1:24, and grades 9–10 to 1:27. The district also updated ESE paraprofessional guidelines to 1:15 for students who share a native language band. The changes were framed as temporary measures tied to the current fiscal constraints.

Board member Doctor James said the adjustments were intended to preserve the workforce and avoid significant layoffs: “This was the best way for us to approach the budget deficit… while still preserving the workforce that we have on our school sites.” He added the board’s goal is to return to standard class‑size ratios next year and to find financial solutions to reallocate units.

Board member Thrower and others asked for ongoing transparency about how referendum dollars and other funding sources might be used to restore lower ratios in future years. Staff said most schools currently have few vacancies in basic unit positions and that transfers and absorption into vacancies helped reduce layoffs this cycle.

Board members voted 5‑0 to approve the revised staffing plan. The district said it will monitor staffing needs and return with adjustments as financial circumstances change.