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Board weighs FY27 tradeoffs: $933,000 pre‑K revenue cut prompts proposed reversions and program debates
Summary
State cuts to Tier 2 pre‑K funding reduced district revenue by roughly $933,000. Staff proposed measures (shifting several pre‑K positions to grants, delaying two assistant principal hires, trimming equipment) and presented optional reallocations including restoring FY25 summer school levels and reducing Chromebook replacements.
Washington County staff told the board a state decision to limit Tier 2 pre‑K eligibility this year reduced estimated district pre‑K revenue by $933,000 (about 94 students moved out of funded eligibility under the state change). To balance FY27 projections staff proposed several offsets: shift five pre‑K pairs worth $250,000 to grant funding (two of those to be covered by one‑year grants), remove three proposed pre‑K teachers (one shifted to grant funding), delay two new assistant principal positions and defer a proposed instructional equipment purchase. Those actions are presented as one approach to close the projected shortfall.
Board tradeoffs and debate: The board also considered a $450,000 rollback that would return summer school to FY25 levels (saving roughly $500,000 of the supplemental expansion included in FY26) and a proposed reduction of $400,000 in small computer equipment (Chromebooks), though staff emphasized Chromebook procurement and curriculum alignment will require further work in May. The ABLE online program (about 47–50 students currently) generated divergent views: several trustees urged retaining the program for continuity and evaluation over multiple years, while others argued for cuts to reallocate funds to in‑class supports. The board sought to prioritize any reallocated savings for special‑education case managers and salary pool enhancements.
What’s next: Staff said the board’s general concurrence on balancing options will be reflected in the FY27 draft and that specific reallocations (case managers, salary pool) will be refined for the April business meeting and ongoing May work sessions on Chromebooks and program impact.
Quote: "This funding reduction yields $933,000; staff recommended shifts to grant funding and cutting some proposed positions to balance the FY27 draft," staff said during the presentation.
Context: The pre‑K change is a one‑year state budget action rolling back Tier 2 eligibility from 600% of the federal poverty level toward a lower threshold (reported as 450% for this year); staff expect the funding to be restored in future years and framed some changes as temporary or grant‑driven where possible.
