Fairfield schools talk about cuts before asking voters for additional funds

FAIRFIELD – Before recommending what kind of money issue to put on the ballot Fairfield educators are proposing spending cuts totaling $4.3 million.

“Cost cutting will not sustain us long-term,’’ said Superintendent Billy Smith.

Rather, spending less will reduce any future levy amount, Smith said. Recommendations on what kind of money issue and when it should be put on the ballot are planned for the school board’s March 2 meeting.

“I know we have some difficult decisions and pathways before us,’’ said board member Abigail Berding.

“It’s not an easy message to deliver, but it’s reality,’’ added board member Scott Clark.

“I’m a parent; it’s not an easy pill to swallow. It’s reality. We’ll get through it.”

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Voters last approved an operating levy in 2011. A bond issue that paid for building Compass and Central elementary schools along with the freshman building passed in 2014.

It included – by law – money for the maintenance of the new buildings and a small amount for other projects, said Nancy Lane, district treasurer.

The district will be out of money by the end of June 2025, Lane said. Projections show an ending balance of about $10 million at that time – enough to pay expenses for one month.

The spending reductions, Smith said, would “minimize teaching and learning.

“We know there’s so much more we can do for our students … but we can’t afford (it),’’ Smith explained.

Reductions being proposed include:

• A restructuring of the English learners tutoring program will be phased in over two years. The move would increase each tutor’s caseload by 10 students.
• Elementary school tutors would be assigned 60 students; secondary tutors, 25 students under the new plan. That reduces tutor positions from 51 to 37, said Kim Hauer, director of human resources. That move, Hauer said, is expected to save $535,000 over two years.
• Staffing will be reduced through resignations and retirements with only “absolutely essential” positions being replaced.
• The high school credit recovery program will also undergo changes. An entry-level teacher will be hired to work with aides to provide support for students working online. Supplemental contracts paid to teachers now assigned to each student in the program will end. The number of students working in the online labs varies, but about 180 students receive help, said Bill Rice, assistant superintendent. The move is expected to save $160,000.
• Each building budget will be reduced by 10% and professional development dollars will be cut, a savings of $125,000. Teachers’ training will continue provided it is paid by grants.
• In the area of facility improvement projects, the focus will be on safety and security, said Lance Perry, director of business operations. The planned replacement of bleachers at stadiums is being put on hold and the budget for paving is being reduced.

“This has not been easy at all to identify these cost savings measures,’’ Smith said. “None of this came easy for our leadership team.”