Jordan Public School District board approves roughly $570,000 in budget adjustments, including paraprofessional reductions
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Summary
At a March 24 special meeting, the Jordan Public School District board approved roughly $570,000 in budget adjustments tied to enrollment and rising costs; the package includes cutting six paraprofessional positions, a staff reallocation in student services and other efficiency measures.
The Jordan Public School District board on March 24 voted to approve approximately $570,000 in recommended budget adjustments to address projected revenue and expense pressures for the coming school year.
Superintendent Evenson told the board the district is working from an enrollment figure of 1,822 and a state-aid revenue projection that reflects a 2.74% increase. "Our target adjustment is at $570,000," Evenson said during the presentation, summarizing work done by Finance Director Amy Hafeman and the administrative team to align staffing to enrollment and control costs.
Nut graf: The adjustments respond to anticipated cost increases and legislative and benefit changes, including uncertainty about employer costs under the Paid Family Medical Leave Act, and are intended to preserve programming while meeting statutory timelines for budget notices.
Evenson outlined the district's approach: comparing spending to similar districts, reviewing seven general-fund areas (district and school administration, instruction, instructional support, transportation, pupil support services, operations and other general categories), and targeting staffing changes that most closely align with enrollment. She warned that even if new collective-bargaining agreements show zero percentage increases, step-and-lane salary costs still raise expenses.
Specific changes the board approved include reducing six paraprofessional positions and not filling some open paraprofessional roles; a student-services shift of 1.0 FTE projected to save about $62,000; and modifying school-psychologist staffing from roughly two positions to about 1.2 FTE. Evenson also said the administration plans to shift the district's online service provider to realize additional savings and is exploring early-retirement incentives.
Evenson noted other near-term cost pressures: "The Paid Family Medical Leave Act will be effective 01/01/2026. That's a payroll tax that will affect all employees," she said, adding that the district is seeking clarity on whether the employer share will be 50% or subject to negotiation. She also cited higher unemployment-insurance costs this past year and rising TRA employer contributions.
The board approved the adjustments on a voice vote after a motion and second. Evenson said staff notices will be issued prior to the April 2 deadline, the administrative team will prepare a final budget in May, and the district must adopt and file the budget by the June 30 statutory deadline.
Ending: The administration said it will monitor enrollment and other data and bring additional changes forward in April if needed; the final budget will return to the board for adoption by June 30.
