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Godwin Heights board hears enrollment decline, discusses contingency plans for potential state-aid disruption
Summary
Superintendent Conklin told the board enrollment is down 67 districtwide and the district is preparing contingency plans — including borrowing and using reserve funds — after staff warned a delayed state aid payment could cause a payroll shortfall.
Godwin Heights Public Schools Superintendent Conklin told the Board of Education at a special meeting Sept. 22 that districtwide enrollment has declined by 67 students, a change she said will affect revenue and staffing decisions.
Conklin provided a school-by-school breakdown: Early Childhood Center down 13 students, West up 1, North down 12, the middle school up 8 and the high school down 51. She reported 186 students are enrolled in district online programs and said the board should consider both local competition and staffing implications when weighing next steps.
The superintendent also flagged short-term fiscal risks: she said there were no new legislative changes but warned of a possible federal government shutdown in eight days, a contingency that could delay state aid. Finance staff member Mr. Hickson told the board that, if state aid is delayed, the district could face a payroll liquidity shortfall.
Board members discussed options to preserve payroll and operations, including short-term borrowing, drawing on the rainy day fund and scheduling a meeting with the intermediate school district (ISD) to coordinate timing and responses. The discussion emphasized planning now for possible cuts in the 2026–27 school year versus making mid-year personnel reductions.
No formal budget action was taken at the meeting; the board directed staff to continue contingency planning and to report back after the ISD meeting and further analysis.
