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Superintendent warns state funding cuts and program changes could squeeze Meridian schools
Summary
Superintendent Dr. James Everett told the Meridian School District board the recent legislative session left districts facing a revenue shortfall, cuts to local effort assistance (LEA) and early-learning slots, and changes to transportation funding that will extend bus replacement cycles.
Dr. James Everett, the district superintendent, told the board the state’s shortfall and recent legislation will have concrete effects on Meridian’s budget and programs. He said the legislature’s revenue projection and policy choices have left districts with fewer resources and more unfunded mandates.
Everett said the state projected a multi‑billion dollar revenue shortfall and that the district has already seen cuts in local effort assistance (LEA) totaling about $25,100,000 in aggregate for affected districts. He described a reduction to the “transition to kindergarten” (TTK) program — a deeper cut than initially projected — noting the program’s slots dropped to about 2,400 from a prior baseline of 2,000 and characterizing the loss of early‑learning capacity as a step away from prevention toward costlier remediation later.
He also outlined changes to bus-depreciation policy: districts that previously received replacement funding on a 13‑year or 8‑year depreciation schedule now see those periods extended (e.g., 13→15 years, 8→10 years), which delays replacement funding and increases the risk of operating older buses with higher maintenance costs. Everett added that incentives and funding tied to electric-bus acquisition were narrowed, reducing districts’ ability to upgrade fleets.
On capital projects, Everett said building a regional skill center depends on commitments from neighboring districts and state capital funding; without a clear, multi‑district pledge, he said, the district cannot responsibly ask the community to raise tens of millions for a program that serves the region. He urged board members to continue outreach to legislators and to organize community engagement around priorities during the interim.
Board members asked how the cuts might affect programs the district currently runs and whether the district could use philanthropy or local fundraising to bridge gaps; Everett responded that private funding could help in some circumstances but that core assets — like a skill center serving multiple districts — should be a state responsibility.
The board did not take formal action on these items; Everett said staff will continue legislative outreach and return with follow‑up as details solidify.
