Fenton CHSD 100 adopts staffing plan as two board members voice financial concerns

The Fenton Community High School District 100 Board of Education on March 25 adopted its certified staffing plan for the 2026–27 school year, approving an overall reduction of roughly 4.8 certified positions compared with the prior year and nearly 10 positions over five years, officials said.

Administration told the board the cuts were driven primarily by declining enrollment and were concentrated in departments serving underclassmen — English, physical education, world languages and student services — while special education needs are increasing and mathematics staffing remains stable. "Staffing reductions were achieved through attrition and non-renewals to minimize disruption," the superintendent said.

Member Dr. Christopher McCullough and Member Reid Goodrich voted against the staffing plan, arguing the measures do not go far enough to address projected deficits. McCullough said the district needs deeper cost reductions and should explore shared services and renegotiation with the bargaining unit rather than rely on potential referenda. Goodrich questioned whether the district could sustain its current student‑to‑teacher ratios and urged consideration of additional efficiency measures. "The financial projections indicate a deficit; we need to identify additional opportunities to reduce expenditures rather than increase reliance on taxpayers," McCullough said.

Earlier in the meeting the board also approved resolutions and notices of non‑renewal and dismissal, motions the superintendent characterized as non‑renewals when members asked for rationale. Those personnel actions passed on a subsequent roll call vote.