Board previews staffing cuts, approves calendars and administrative signers in routine votes
Summary
At its Jan. 28 special meeting the Farmington Board of Education reviewed a professional staffing plan that would net a district‑level reduction in teacher FTEs, approved the 2026–27 and 2027–28 calendars (adding Eid as a school holiday), and approved administrative signers for child nutrition and the December financial report.
Assistant Superintendent Ruzek presented the professional staffing portion of the 2026–27 budget and said certified staff make up the district’s largest expenditure (about 75–80 percent of the operating budget). The staffing proposal shows a net reduction of roughly 7.4 elementary teacher FTEs (three positions not filled from the prior year plus four additional reductions) and an overall new staffing change of minus 4.3 when a requested administrator is added to the certified line.
Why it matters: Administrators said the net staffing adjustments are intended to keep the district within the board’s class‑size policy (roughly a 19.5 district‑wide student‑to‑teacher average) while maintaining programmatic priorities. The budget includes one non‑deployed teacher (a reserve) to respond to enrollment 'hot spots' and also anticipates natural attrition and vacancies between now and August.
Board discussion focused on how the 19.5 policy functions (administrators said it serves as a district average/floor target, not an absolute per‑class ceiling), where reductions would be communicated to staff, and how retirements and step changes are budgeted. Administrators said they had already met with affected teachers and will monitor staffing and attrition through spring.
Votes at the meeting: The board approved the 2026–27 school calendar (second reading) with a small shift of professional‑development half days and recognized Eid as a school holiday; it also voted to approve the 2027–28 calendar (second reading). The board approved designating "Jess Zinni, superintendent of Farmington Public Schools, and Beth Haber, finance manager" as authorized signers for child nutrition program agreements and claims; it also approved the December 2025 financial statement report. A motion to adjourn at 8:42 p.m. carried.
Quote: "We want to be upfront with our staff because we invest a lot in our people," an administrator said, describing early communication with teachers who may be affected.
Ending: Administrators said they will present updated staffing and retirements as the budget work continues and will review allocation details at the Saturday workshop.
