Jefferson County board approves tentative 2025–26 budget after $99.1M reductions; $12M gap remains

The Jefferson County Board of Education on May 13 approved a tentative 2025–26 budget that includes $99.1 million in reductions but still shows an estimated $12 million shortfall.

Superintendent Dr. Marty Polio introduced the budget and turned the presentation over to Chief Financial Officer Eddie Mun, who said the district is forecasting modest local revenue growth, a 6% rise in the state SEEK base, and a 3.5% increase in property tax assessments. Mun told the board the budget preserves roughly $30 million in racial equity funds, maintains $1.1 million in school‑based mental health practitioners and funds a 3% COLA for employees effective July 1.

“The plan we’re presenting includes $99.1 million of reductions this year,” Eddie Mun said. “After those reductions we are showing a $12 million difference between revenues and expenses; we plan to pursue an additional $50 million of reductions next year to reach a stable trajectory.”

Board members pressed administrators on the drivers of the shortfall. The administration said the loss of federal ESSER funds since 2024 drove much of the fiscal “cliff,” while some one‑time pandemic‑era spending and growth in certain services (for example, multilingual learner supports) required midcourse adjustments.

“We had large one‑time federal funds that allowed us to expand programs,” Mun said in response to a question. “As those funds ended, we must right‑size recurring spending.”

Several trustees asked about specific program areas and the likely impacts on students. Administrators said many of the current cuts were one‑time purchases, such as startup curriculum and vehicles; they acknowledged that delays to stadium renovations and after‑school contracting could be felt by students. The board also discussed transportation staffing, vacancy savings and a salary benchmarking study the district has commissioned to inform next year’s labor negotiations.

The board approved the tentative budget on a voice vote (motion by Miss Listister; second by Mr. Craig). Administrators noted the tentative budget is an interim document: the working budget, with tax rates, will be adopted in the fall after additional hearings and final enrollment figures.

What’s next: administrators said they will begin a second round of reductions in late 2025 to secure an additional $50 million and continue efforts to protect school‑level spending. The board also plans to use a revenue committee and other outreach to consider long‑term revenue options.