Harrison County Schools projects staffing shortfall after 280-student enrollment decline

Superintendent Miss Sleasberg told the Harrison County Board of Education on March 4 that the district’s second-month headcount fell by 280 students year over year and that the decline will leave the district staffing levels above what the state funds.

The personnel presentation showed Harrison County Schools employs 78.14 professional positions and 69.07 service positions in excess of state funding; the superintendent said the district is projecting 277.21 positions over the formula once changes and the addition of 30 third-grade aides are accounted for. Miss Sleasberg said the combination of enrollment decline, state aid calculations and charter/UTC counts produces a budget shortfall that will require using reserves unless staffing reductions and other actions are adopted.

Why it matters: state aid funds nearly all standard classroom positions; the district reported that 82.71% of its budget is dedicated to salaries and benefits. Miss Sleasberg said the district faces roughly $1.8 million in lost state aid tied to 22 professional positions, service reductions and fixed charges once the state’s calculations are adjusted — figures she derived after reviewing the…