District proposes cuts to maintenance overtime and some contracts; food service largely preserved by federal program
Summary
Staff recommended eliminating maintenance overtime and summer workers and flagged possible contract reductions, including a mental-health services contract; food service meals are expected to remain free under the Community Eligibility Provision for about two more years, and weekend food bags would continue via Kiwanis donations.
District staff told the board that maintenance and facilities costs were a target for immediate savings and recommended eliminating overtime and summer workers to reduce expenses while acknowledging operational trade-offs.
Presenters said eliminating overtime would not immediately reduce staff head count but would remove early-morning shifts that prepare buildings after storms, shifting more daytime work onto regular staff. The district warned that cutting summer workers would increase strain on custodial staff and could accelerate facility deterioration; staff said fewer summer workers could lead to delays on routine maintenance and that older buildings could require more substantial repairs sooner.
The presenter said the district would "look at 1 full time equivalent" in maintenance if the larger savings target required personnel reductions. Across the district, staff estimated roughly 12 full-time teachers and about 15 educational aides could be affected under deeper reductions, though the presenter cautioned these are preliminary numbers and would be governed by collective bargaining agreements.
On contracts and services, staff flagged an existing contract for mental-health services as a potential cost-saving target, while acknowledging such reductions are not what staff believe is best for students. On food service, staff said the district participates in the Community Eligibility Provision and expects free breakfast and lunch to continue for approximately two more years unless federal or state funding changes; weekend food bags are being resumed through a Kiwanis Club partnership and will not be charged to the district.
Staff said immediate steps such as eliminating overtime could be enacted quickly after board guidance, while other measures would follow a staged rollout.
