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District flags $13 million shortfall as enrollment dips; capital outlay statute discussed
Summary
District staff said the district faces an estimated $13,000,000 budget shortfall tied to a projected decline of about 351 K–12 brick-and-mortar students; participants discussed allocation pauses, possible calendar reductions, and how Florida's capital-outlay laws could allow certain salaries to be paid from capital dollars for positions directly supporting capital projects.
District leaders told union representatives they are working to close an estimated $13,000,000 gap for the coming year and are reviewing programs, positions and allocations to reduce spending while trying to preserve personnel.
"One number that has been talked about a couple different times has been a 13,000,000 shortfall that we're trying to make sure that we've cut what we need to cut," Matt Goldberg said, describing the district's planning and the prospect that ESSER-funded items will lapse and therefore require new funding choices.
Staff presented enrollment figures the district uses for allocations and said projections indicate a decline of about 351 students in the K–12 brick-and-mortar count between the 2023–24 year and projections for 2026–27. A staff speaker emphasized the difference between DOE reported totals and the district's "butts in seats" accounting, noting that pass-through voucher or scholarship students can inflate state figures but are not counted for allocation purposes until present in brick-and-mortar classrooms.
The group noted a 350% growth in the family empowerment program over the last four years as another factor that can shift funding between counts and actual attendance. Goldberg said the district is trying to be strategic in allocation meetings to preserve positions and that postings had been paused briefly as administrators complete placement discussions, with an expectation that postings would resume by May 1.
Union members raised possible options for cost savings, including calendar reductions for some job groups and shifting certain eligible maintenance and transportation positions to capital funding. Staff and counsel reviewed Florida law and read a 2023 amendment to section 1011.71 that allows districts to use the 1.5 mill capital outlay levy to pay salaries and benefits for employees whose duties directly support capital-outlay-funded activities, while cautioning about policy or bond restrictions.
No formal decisions were made; staff said further allocation meetings and budget workshops will provide details. Participants were directed to half-cent sales-tax and capital project workshops for project quotes and to follow upcoming budget meetings for additional information.
