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Beloit School District presents $4.6M reduction plan; board seeks staffing plan before any vote
Summary
Administrators proposed cutting roughly $4.6 million for 2026–27 (now noted as $5.0M after a transportation adjustment), largely through attrition (45.5 FTE), 10% building budgets, ending some summer transportation and reducing middle-school/freshman athletics; the board asked for detailed staffing and program plans and did not vote on the package.
Administrators for the School District of Beloit told the board on May 5 that they are recommending roughly $4.6 million in reductions for the 2026–27 budget as part of a multi‑year effort to avoid deeper cuts later.
"We are currently facing a $4,500,000 shortfall for the next school year," Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gordon Milat said, adding that the figure rose to about $5,000,000 after transportation cost changes. Milat said the district expects a drop of roughly 200 students next year and cited rising health insurance costs and a projected $8,000,000 increase in required payments to independent charter schools as part of the pressure on the budget.
The administration’s draft recommends a mix of operational and staffing actions, with an emphasis on attrition rather than immediate layoffs: "we are proposing a reduction of 45.5 full‑time positions without the immediate need for widespread layoffs," Milat said. Other proposals include a 10% reduction to building budgets, ending transportation for summer school, transitioning from a 1:1 Chromebook model to shared classroom sets, reducing middle‑school and freshman athletics, and furlough days for year‑round administrators.
Public speakers, including teachers and representatives of the Beloit Education Association (BEA), urged the board to be cautious about cuts that would diminish services or staff retention. "Taking away this opportunity from arguably our most vulnerable students ... could create a four‑year void in their experience within the school district of Beloit," said Emily Fuentes, a teacher and freshman girls volleyball coach, urging the board not to eliminate freshman athletics. James and Melissa, introduced as co‑presidents of the BEA, asked the board for clearer detail on which positions (the administration’s list cites 30 professional and 12 support positions) would be affected and urged the board to prepare work on a November referendum: "We absolutely need to pass a referendum," they said.
Board members pressed administration for more detail. Several asked for a written staffing plan and program plans that would show which positions are vacant versus filled, how cuts would affect class sizes and services (nurses, counselors, special education), and specific dollar savings tied to each proposed action. "We asked for a staffing plan and program plans; this is not that," Policy Committee Chair Carol Fox said, asking for more completeness before approving reductions.
Administrators said they would continue refining the proposal and engage in additional committee work and community outreach. Director Ellwood confirmed that the district has data on items such as blue‑sheet (prep‑time coverage) payments (listed in the materials at about $200,000) and that administration will return with more detailed scenarios, including modeling with and without a referendum.
No final budget vote was taken. Board members emphasized that they expect follow‑up materials — staffing plans, program impact analyses, clearer line‑item savings and a timeline for any referendum question — before making final decisions. The board and administration also agreed to continue community engagement and to form a committee to review future cuts and reorganizations.
Next steps: administration will develop the requested staffing and program plans, provide clearer cost breakdowns and, per board direction, pursue community engagement and referendum planning if needed.
