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Gadsden officials warn budget could dip below 3% as scholarships cost about $6 million, staff say
Summary
At an April 28 workshop, Gadsden County School Board staff reported draft insurance savings but warned the general fund balance could fall below the board’s 3% threshold for FY2025–26, citing about $6 million in scholarship payments calculated under the FDOE third calculation and pending staffing decisions.
At a public financial workshop April 28, district finance staff told the Gadsden County School Board that draft insurance renewals show overall savings but that the district still faces budget pressure that could push the general fund below the board’s 3% target.
"We’re projecting a savings of 101,000 over the prior year," said Mrs. Bruner, the staff member presenting the financial package, referencing draft rates from the Florida School Boards Insurance Trust (FSBIT). She added that an optional $2 million excess-liability limit would increase the premium by $1,836 and that a sexual-abuse-and-molestation (SAM) coverage option could add about $25,000 unless all FSBIT districts opt in together.
Mrs. Bruner told the board staff are still working with the Auditor General to close FY 2024–25 and are projecting the general fund balance could fall below 3% for FY 2025–26 because of recent changes in state calculations and scholarship payments. "We are still working with the Auditor General to close FY 2024-25. We are projecting to fall below 3% in the General Fund balance," she stated.
Board member Stacey S. Hannigon pressed for specifics. "We know scholarship students are costing us $6 million," she said. Mrs. Bruner clarified the point: "That does not include the charter school and that does not include private schools, which are two separate categories but the scholarships is the largest and over $6,000,000," and said the figure comes from the Florida Department of Education’s third-calculation report.
Staff asked the board to schedule a special meeting in early May to address draft 2026–27 insurance rates and other financial items. No formal vote was taken at the workshop.
On payroll matters, Mrs. Bruner said Teacher Salary Increase Allocation (TSIA) amounts were processed as a separate payroll run and were expected to post April 30, 2026. She also described the district’s approach to teacher supply disbursements, saying payments are planned to begin June 1 and continue through Sept. 1, 2026. Superintendent Elijah Key noted the State has adopted the Class Wallet model statewide, and the district did not incur Class Wallet costs this year.
The board did not adopt final rates or make formal budget decisions at the workshop; staff said they will return with recommended staffing plans and any necessary motions at a subsequent meeting.
