Santa Fe ISD board approves elimination of eight central-office positions amid budget shortfall

On March 30, the Santa Fe Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a resolution declaring a program change and reduction in force that eliminates eight central office and administrative positions, district leaders said.

Superintendent Dr. Bhatt told trustees the district entered the school year with a balanced budget but that lower-than-expected enrollment, reductions in school-health and related services revenue from state and federal sources, and continuing inflationary cost increases produced a budget deficit. “The only path forward we see for Santa Fe ISD to present what would even be considered close to a balanced budget next year is for us to consider a reduction in staff,” Dr. Bhatt said as he read the list of positions the administration recommended for elimination.

The positions listed by the administration are: mentor/facilitator/intern supervisor; director for the alternative learning center; two secondary curriculum coaches; executive director of operations and capital projects; nutrition services supervisor;…