Superintendent outlines budget shortfall and proposed layoffs; trustees press for clearer communication

At a special meeting called by the board president, the Kingston City School District heard detailed explanations from the superintendent about a budget shortfall and possible staff reductions, and trustees pressed the administration for clearer communications and plans to keep required student services in place.

The superintendent told trustees the district faces long-term fiscal strain driven by an enrollment decline of about 870 students and a dramatic change in the state funding formula, which he said had shifted the system from roughly double-digit increases to about a 1% increase in the governor’s proposed aid. "870 students is a decline in enrollment is the equivalent of almost 3 elementary schools in the Kingston City School District," he said, and added that the budget adopted last week included "over $12,000,000 in allocated reserves." He said the board will have to increase revenues or decrease expenditures by roughly that amount in future years.

Trustees pressed the superintendent for exact staffing numbers. Board member Ryan asked whether the budget included a "59 person reduction in force." The superintendent said that social-media reports overstated recent notices: "Contrary to social media, there were not 59 teachers laid off last week. There were 16," he said. He also referenced 31 reductions in the teachers' bargaining unit and said 15 retirements were offered as an incentive, with five staff accepting that incentive. He said administrators were working to reduce the number of layoff notices further, and that any formal abolishment of positions would occur only when the board acts.

Several trustees focused on the literacy/reading program. One trustee summarized that "9 of those reductions came from the literacy department," describing a change from about 25 to 16 literacy teachers; the trustee asked the administration to explain how the district would continue tiered reading interventions with fewer staff. The superintendent said he and his assistants were evaluating options and believed they could restore "two to three" positions by making cuts elsewhere, and emphasized reliance on curriculum adoption and professional development to maintain tier-1 instruction.

Trustees across the meeting repeatedly raised concerns about timing and communications. Multiple board members said they and their constituents felt blindsided by the details, urged earlier budget workshops, and asked that the district and bargaining units improve direct outreach to staff and families. One board member explained the role of the finance and audit committee and said budget decisions are ultimately the responsibility of the full board; another said committee work had not provided the depth of operational detail some trustees expected.

Trustees also asked how the district will preserve mandated supports for students with IEPs and 504 plans and whether increased caseloads on remaining staff are anticipated. The superintendent said the district can present a plan at the next teacher-and-learning community meeting and reiterated that public comment and a required public budget presentation will occur at the board's regular meeting (date to be held as scheduled by the board).

The special meeting closed after the board president moved to adjourn; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The board directed administration to continue refining staffing recommendations, to provide further details about service continuity for special-education and literacy supports, and to present budget materials at the next public meeting so the community may comment.