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Kent City Schools board accepts forecast, officials say district must find about $2 million in cuts
Summary
District finance staff told the board the combination of state formula changes and potential federal grant losses could create roughly $2.6 million in pressure and the administration recommended finding roughly $2 million in cuts next year, primarily from purchased services and by leaving some positions unfilled.
District finance staff presented a new fiscal forecast and the board voted to accept it, with trustees saying the district will need to find significant savings in 2027. The presenter told the board the district faces about $1.1 million in potential state funding losses and roughly $22,000 in reduced federal grants year‑over‑year; if additional federal programs were reduced, the total exposure could approach about $2.6 million.
"We are looking at a loss of state funding this year of about 1.1 million," the district finance presenter said during the forecast presentation. The presenter explained the state and federal changes alongside a new statutory filing schedule (House Bill 96) that moved forecast deadlines to August and February, creating timing mismatches with property‑tax settlements and complicating near‑term cash planning.
Officials told the board they are aiming to preserve about 91 days of operating cash over the longer term (compared with a district recommendation of 60 days as the minimum) and planned to pursue roughly $2 million in reductions next year, largely in purchased services and by not filling some positions as employees retire. "We don't have $2 million in supplies to cut," the presenter said, adding that most savings will need to come from personnel or contracted services. The board moved and approved a motion to accept the forecast; the roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval.
