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Superintendent outlines staff fill rates, planned reductions and focus on growth measures
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Edmonson said most certified positions are filled for the 2025–26 year, outlined nearly $1 million in preliminary district reductions, described continued state partnership designation for the high school and emphasized growth targets for teachers.
Superintendent Dr. Edmonson told the Romulus Community Schools Board of Education on Aug. 25 that the district has “almost all” certified positions filled for the 2025–26 school year and previewed a set of preliminary budget reductions intended to position the district for potential state or federal cuts.
Dr. Edmonson said staff hiring was a priority and credited interim special‑education leadership and human resources staff for recent fills. He also encouraged trustees to visit schools during opening‑week events and said the district will hold opening‑day exercises and family events in the coming days.
On budget adjustments, Edmonson listed preliminary reductions he said the district had made or proposed to balance the budget: a partial reduction for a director position tied to the teaching, learning and professional development (TLP) area ($84,000); two instructional‑specialist positions (combined approx. $305,000); a supervisor of professional development ($153,000); middle‑school teaching positions (about $202,000); a district nurse position (about $93,000); reductions of five elementary security positions (about $208,000); reductions of 1.5 high‑school security positions ($49,000) and 1.5 middle‑school security positions ($48,000); elementary building substitute reductions (four positions, about $129,000) and secondary building substitute reductions (two positions, about $64,000). He summarized the total as “nearly a million dollars.”
Edmonson said some of the duties previously assigned to a departing TLP director are being covered by his office and that he has not requested additional compensation for those duties. He said the district’s designation as a priority district — tied to student achievement at the high school and RBLC — remains in place, and noted that the partnership designation carries both accountability actions and additional funding opportunities.
On accountability and instruction, Edmonson said trustees should emphasize student growth measures in school visits and faculty oversight. He described plans to present a scatterplot of teacher growth and achievement metrics at upcoming meetings and said he intends to provide individual growth summaries to staff by September.
A resident who addressed the board during public comment urged the board to fill a vacant seat (the board has seven seats but two trustees were excused at the meeting) and urged greater transparency and accountability after a recent bond proposal failed; the speaker said a lack of trust contributed to the bond's defeat. The remarks were recorded during the public comment period and not part of an agenda action.
Events and other items noted in the superintendent’s report included an opening‑day staff meet‑and‑greet with food provided by Harmon Grounds, a “Bratz Barbecue and Back to School” event and a November Pumpkin Fest. Edmonson also reminded trustees that some schools have recent renovations he expects to be completed by the start of classes.
Edmonson and trustees said the finance subcommittee and a newly assigned finance director have been active in reviewing the budget and reductions; Treasurer Kennard and other trustees reiterated that the appointments and marketing contract approved at the meeting were funded from previously approved budgets.
