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Woodford County schools detail $5M in cuts and urge community to 'hold' tax rate
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Laurie Jones and Jason Gribbons told the fiscal court the district cut more than $5 million (mid‑year $1.8M plus $3.0M) — over 10% of the budget — and urged holding the existing school tax rate (63.3¢) to stabilize the fund balance and preserve programs.
Dr. Laurie Jones, Woodford County Schools superintendent, and financial lead Jason Gribbons presented the district's budgeting work, describing mid‑year reductions and additional cuts required to balance the coming fiscal year. Jones said the board and a community‑representative budget committee implemented $1.8 million in mid‑year cuts and the board adopted another $3.0 million in reductions this year, resulting in more than a 10% reduction overall.
Gribbons explained why a nominal 4% tax rate does not translate to 4% more local revenue after state adjustments tied to assessment growth: "The 4% rate generated $741,000 more in general fund revenue," he said, but the state took back $163,000, leaving a net of $577,000 (about a 1.6% increase). The presentation included fund‑balance history, a current 7% fund balance after cuts (above the 2% minimum state requirement), and an appeal that the court and community consider holding the current school tax rate of 63.3¢ to stabilize funding and avoid program reductions.
District officials outlined program impacts, including eliminated or frozen positions, central‑office reorganization, delayed bus replacements (state guidance recommends two buses per year; district has not replaced buses in two years), and limits on new programs. Jones said the district aims to protect classroom instruction and step increases for staff while seeking ways to expand career and CTE opportunities if community support allows.
