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Sullivan County SD board advances options to close $1.2 million budget gap, approves retirement incentives and resolution preserving furlough option
Summary
Administrators reported a projected 2026–27 shortfall reduced from $1.9 million to about $1.2 million; the board approved early-retirement incentives, acknowledged potential furloughs by passing a resolution of intent to suspend employees, and confirmed high outside cyber-charter costs as a driver of the deficit.
Administrators told the Sullivan County School District board that the district began budget planning with a $1.9 million shortfall and, after cuts and administrative moves, reduced the gap to approximately $1.2 million for 2026–27. Dr. Shultz said measures that produced savings included removing a larger roofing project, more than $500,000 in budget cuts and a hiring freeze, but that further actions — including an early retirement incentive for support staff and the possibility of furloughs — remain on the table.
"We started with a $1.9 million deficit. Through measures taken by the administrative team, we were able to reduce the deficit to approximately $1.2 million," Dr. Shultz told the board, saying the district also approved an early-retirement incentive for professional staff and was asking the board to approve an ERI memorandum of understanding for support staff contingent on ratification by the union.
The board approved the ERI memorandum of understanding for support staff on a roll-call vote, recorded as five yes. Later in the meeting the personnel committee brought a separate resolution of intent to suspend employees (furlough) before the board. Trustees approved that resolution on a roll-call vote as well. Board members and administration emphasized that passing the resolution preserves furlough as an option but does not enact immediate layoffs.
District officials identified rising costs tied to outside cyber charter enrollments and special-education placements as major drivers of the fiscal pressure. The finance presentation listed itemized invoices for multiple cyber charter providers; current enrollment through March 2026 was reported as 83 students. Administrators said the district projects $2.1 million in outside cyber-charter expenses for the next school year and noted the PDE-363 reconciliation (retroactive to July 1, 2025) affects comparability of per-student costs with other districts.
Board members repeatedly asked the administration for additional detail about the cyber-charter totals and budget options before the scheduled budget hearing. Ms. Tisher summarized the revised budget development calendar and reminded trustees of state deadlines tied to a June 30 submission requirement.
What the board approved tonight: the ERI MOU for support staff (pending ratification), formal acknowledgment of the district audit for FY 2024–25, and a nonbinding resolution that authorizes the district to consider suspension of employees as a tool to balance the budget if other measures are not sufficient.
The board is scheduled to continue budget work at upcoming public budget meetings; administrators said they will continue to pursue cost reductions while attempting to minimize impacts on students and core programming.
