Jordan Public School District warns of mounting budget shortfalls, considers cuts

Superintendent Evenson told the Jordan Public School District Board that the district expects a general‑fund shortfall of about $227,000 for the current fiscal year and a projected shortfall of more than $400,000 in 2025–26.

"We will have a shortfall of about $227,000," Superintendent Evenson said during a February budget update, adding that the gap for the next year could be larger if the board delays cuts. Evenson listed several drivers: a predicted loss of roughly 33 average daily memberships (ADMs), increases in property/liability and workers' compensation insurance, rising benefits and salary step/lane costs, and state policy changes carrying new costs.

Evenson walked the board through Fund 1 (the district general fund) and the array of restricted accounts that limit how some state and federal dollars may be spent. He noted that roughly 83% of the district’s operating revenue is generated from state sources, local taxes provide about 14% and the district’s per‑pupil levy contribution has remained effectively flat (about $724 per student). He also cited near‑term policy costs: Read Act training and implementation estimated at about $68,000 for the next year, ongoing literacy aid estimates around $82,000, and the new paid family and medical leave tax (roughly 0.88 percent) that will reduce district revenue by nearly $70,000.

Evenson said the district has aimed to keep its unassigned fund balance near the board’s 12% policy target but is currently just under that level. "We started the year projecting where we would land. We'll look a little bit better than what we projected, but we still will dip into our fund balance for this school year," he said. He warned that short‑term deficit spending can compound: "If we don't reduce it this first year, the next year, it's 200,000 because it just doubles," he said.

Board members asked questions about timing and approach. The superintendent said administration will review course registrations, staffing, and district expenditures with principals and financial advisors, and return to the board with data‑driven recommendations at a February work session and possibly a special meeting during spring break. Evenson said employee notices would follow any approved reductions and that the statutory deadline to finalize budget shifts is late June.

Next steps outlined by the superintendent include additional financial modeling, benchmarking against similar districts, and targeted recommendations for categorical reductions that aim to minimize student impact where possible. Evenson said he and administrative staff will continue to advocate at the legislature for relief or reauthorization/modification of costly mandates.

The board did not take formal action on new budget reductions at the meeting; it approved routine consent items and set the follow‑up schedule as requested by administration.