Grand Rapids board directs just under $10 million in FY26 reductions, eliminating about 80 positions

The Grand Rapids Public School District school board voted to direct the district to implement fiscal 2026 budget reductions that district leaders said total just under $10 million and eliminate about 80 positions.

The vote followed public comments from multiple teachers who warned the cuts would increase class sizes and worsen teacher burnout. "Education is not just about efficiency," said Jessica Flossie, a social studies teacher at Grand Rapids High School. "It should be doing about what's best for our kids." Flossie said the proposed high school reduction of 0.6 full-time equivalent (FTE) in social studies would also move the district's economics instruction out of social studies and could leave government standards to teachers not licensed in the subject.

The board and administrators framed the reductions as part of a multiyear effort to stabilize district finances. "Our goal as we work through this is financial stability and health," Superintendent Matt Gross told the board, citing audited gains in the district's fund balance and outside ratings that officials said show the district has been managing limited resources carefully.

Gross and other administrators outlined where the proposed cuts would fall. Key staffing and program changes described by the district include: - High school: a 0.6 FTE reduction in social studies, with a district official saying some economics content would continue but course offerings will change. - Ag program: a 0.2 FTE reduction, from 2.2 to 2.0 FTEs. - Middle school: 0.2 FTE reductions across math, social studies and English (primarily affecting seventh grade), and an adjustment in physical education assignments to shift some regular PE time to special education to improve services for students with disabilities. - Elementary (East/West/Cohasset): elimination of one fourth-grade section across East/West/Cohasset; administrators said grade-level class-size averages could rise by one to two students in affected grades. - Bigfork: a 1.0 FTE reduction in math. - Districtwide: modest percentage reductions in activity budgets, supplies and transportation totaling about $20,000.

Administrators said they are also pursuing revenue opportunities, including maximizing career and technical education (CTE) reimbursements. Gross said the district balanced budgets in fiscal 2023 and 2024, increased its fund balance from about 1.6% in fiscal 2022 to roughly 10.2% in fiscal 2024, and has received a clean audit opinion.

Teachers at the microphone urged alternatives and expressed concern about classroom impacts. "I've spent the last 10 years working hard to be the best at it," Flossie said of her economics instruction. "If we truly believe in preparing students for the future, we must invest in social studies, not cut it." Elise Sperling Anderson, a ninth-grade teacher, said she expects class sizes to rise from about 27 to as many as 32 students in regular ninth-grade sections and noted that roughly a third of students in some classes have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). English teacher Troy Gunderson urged the board to consider how cuts erode teacher time for planning and feedback; he said a teacher survey found about 70% of respondents had considered leaving the profession.

Board members said the decision was difficult. Board member Ashley Goodman told staff the reductions weighed heavily on the board: "This is not something that we're just doing. It weighs heavy on all of us." Board member Dave Cowen described the steps the board had taken to preserve positions earlier and said the reductions were intended to restore stability so the district can move forward.

The board approved a motion directing the superintendent to implement the FY26 budget reductions. Motion by Dave Cowen; second by Tom Gustafson; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Administrators said the next steps include finalizing notices and monitoring staffing changes as employees accept new positions, resign or are rehired. Human-resources updates at the meeting also included a separate board vote approving the nonrenewal of a set of probationary teachers; administrators told the board the majority of those listed are expected to return once licensure or posting requirements are completed.

District officials urged continued community engagement and said additional reductions may be needed if enrollment or state revenue assumptions do not change. Gross told the board he does not expect the state to fully close the district's long-term funding gap and encouraged local revenue conversations as one path forward.

The board directed the superintendent to proceed with the reductions and the district will report implementation details as they are finalized.