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Cannon County Schools warns of funding shortfall as enrollment rules change; urges priority on retaining staff
Summary
District staff told a Jan. 25 workshop that a state change in how 'economically disadvantaged' students are counted could cost the district about $228,587 and that maintaining current positions and meeting a rising minimum salary target should be priorities in next year's budget.
At a Jan. 25 Cannon County Schools budget workshop, a district staff member said a change in the state's method for counting "economically disadvantaged" students is likely to reduce the district's funding by about $228,587 and urged trustees to prioritize maintaining current positions and meeting planned salary targets.
The staff member said the district had 1,705 students in a recent report, 14 fewer than the prior month, and that the state's recalculation resulted in a net loss of 129 students compared with two years earlier. "They held us harmless last year," the presenter said. "They're not holding us harmless this year. So that's a shortage of $228,587." The presenter added that the loss was not unique to Cannon County.
The presenter told the workshop the district must "consider maintaining the positions we currently have," noting that several counseling, nursing and other positions had been funded by ESSER one-time federal funds. The presenter warned that next year's budget will need to address the end of ESSER funding and ongoing salary pressure, adding, "We have to be at 50,000 by 26-27" when referring to a targeted minimum teacher salary.
The presenter said the district benefited from a salary increase last year when hiring improved, but cautioned that across-the-board raises affect multiple lines of the budget, including food service and Title-funded programs. The presenter recommended considering changes to the salary schedule so long-tenured employees are not left without adjustments: "you might want to consider increasing that salary schedule from 20 years to 25" so 3 or 4 long-tenured staff would receive raises.
The workshop also included discussion of the possible statewide voucher proposal. The presenter said if a voucher program passes there could be downstream effects on TISA dollars and that while the measure as drafted "says that they're not gonna take any money from us, from TISA," the presenter remained concerned about long-term impacts and possible amendments. "That's what's gonna happen to your TISA dollars if the voucher program passes," the presenter said.
No formal action or vote was taken at the workshop. Staff recommended principals and the district prioritize maintaining current positions and preparing a budget that accounts for the likely loss of state funding, the end of ESSER funds and rising fixed costs such as insurance.
The district indicated it will gather additional data from principals and continue to refine priorities before finalizing the FY26 budget.
