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School officials warn of FY26 shortfall; county, schools discuss controls and savings
Summary
Franklin County Public Schools reported a projected FY26 shortfall (Shawver estimated $2.2 million as of April 21) and school leaders described cuts and savings; county staff warned the gap could reach $5 million. Officials proposed process and accounting changes.
Franklin County Public Schools officials told the Board of Supervisors on April 21 that the school division is projecting a current‑year budget shortfall as state and federal revenue allocations lagged initial budget assumptions.
Consultant Anne Shawver presented unaudited nine‑month figures through March 31, 2026, and indicated the school budget was projecting a roughly $2.2 million deficit as of April 21, 2026. Superintendent Dr. Kevin Siers said the division has taken cost‑saving steps including pausing professional development, holding three teacher vacancies, deferring repairs, sidelining 11 vehicles, and eliminating nonessential spending—measures he said saved roughly $300,000–$400,000 so far. Dr. Siers also said the schools had reduced a previously reported $4.3‑million discrepancy to the levels presented at the meeting.
Deputy County Administrator/CFO Brian Carter told the board the school deficit could be higher, warning the shortfall might reach up to $5 million depending on final state and federal reconciliations and March/September enrollment adjustments used for allocations.
School staff proposed administrative controls to reduce risk in future cycles: create a separate account for federal funding, implement a purchase‑order system, and encumber salaries as positions are filled and vacated. The board requested additional detail on retirements, associated costs/savings, and the yearly costs of professional development.
What’s next: School staff will provide the requested staffing and cost detail and continue collaborating with county finance staff and consultant teams on mitigation options; any transfer or supplemental appropriation would require board approval.
