Osborn District cuts five teaching support posts and one administrator after federal grant funding falls short

The Osborn School District board on Monday approved reductions in force affecting master-teacher roles and one district leadership position after federal grant funding was reduced and a tagged grant was canceled. The board voted to eliminate four master-teacher positions funded through Title I and to cut the director of leadership and school improvement position after an external grant that had supported some positions was canceled.

Board members and staff told the board the changes result from two funding shocks: a cancellation of a teacher and school leaders grant the district had used to fund the roles, and a reduced Title I allocation that came in at about 80% of the usual preliminary allocation rather than the 90% the district had expected. District staff said that of 11.5 master-teacher positions tied to the grant, 5.5 no longer fit within the Title I budget; . . . 1.5 positions could be repurposed, leaving a net reduction need of four master-teacher positions for the 2025–26 school year.

Superintendent Dr. Robert (title given in the meeting) told trustees the Title I allocation shift was a conservative move by the Arizona Department of Education, which has reduced the preliminary allocations statewide because of uncertainty at the federal level. The district’s finance staff explained that the state released 80% of the expected funding and is holding the remainder pending federal guidance. The district said it has not yet received the additional 10% it had historically received later in the year.

Trustees expressed strong concern and frustration with the funding cut and its effects on staff and students. Board members described the move as a painful decision and said the affected roles — instructional coaching and mentorship positions — directly support teacher retention, training, and coordination of programs such as the Arizona Student Assessment (ASA) work the master teachers had helped lead. Trustees said they will continue advocacy with state and federal representatives to seek restoration of funds.

The board moved and approved the reduction in force motions for the master-teacher positions and separately approved the reduction in force for the director of leadership and school improvement. No named roll-call vote counts were recorded in the meeting transcript; the clerk announced the motions carried.

The district said it will continue to pursue appeals and advocacy through partner agencies and legislators while managing the personnel reductions required to balance next year’s school budget.