TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Leon County Schools is preparing for the 2026-2027 school year and district leaders are looking at nearly $7 million in budget cuts.
On its website, LCS shared that operational costs are rising and federal Elementary and Secondary School Relief (ESSR) has expired.
LCS posted an overview of recommended reductions that would save the district $6,963,000.
Staffing for interventionists could see a $1,752,000 reduction. Interventionist staffing expanded during COVID, according to LCS. The recommendation would reduce staffing from two to one interventionist per elementary and K-8 school. LCS said schools would have the option to fund a second position through conversions.
District-level support services could be reduced, seeing a cut of $1.5 million. This would lead to slower response times and fewer resources for professional learning, curriculum support and data services, according to LCS.
School social worker positions were previously funded through ESSER funds, per LCS. With the recommended budget cuts, the district would fund ten social workers rather than the current 27. Schools would have the option to fund additional social workers. However, the change would increase workloads and could limit social-emotional support on campus.
Amid the recommendations, students would enroll in Florida Virtual School rather than Leon Virtual School, which would save $660,375.66.
LCS also said Campus Security Monitor positions were added prior to the statewide requirement for an armed officer on every campus. The proposal suggests cutting these positions and have administrators take on security monitor duties. Individual schools could choose to fund these positions.
Schools could also see a reduction of $20 per full-time equivalent student. Principals would have to shift funds and reduce spending, per LCS.
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Arts and athletics funding is also on the chopping block and could see a 50 percent reduction, meaning families may have to pay higher participation fees and some programs could be scaled back or done away with, LCS said.
Reading categorical funding and community group funding would be reduced, meaning contracted professional learning services for district and school staff and student participation in district sponsored programs would be limited.
LCS went on to note that feedback from staff, families and the community “will be critical in shaping final decisions and identifying ways to mitigate the impact wherever possible.”
Additional possible reductions have also been identified in the case that the recommended reductions are not enough to balance the budget.
To read more about the budget reduction proposal and the impacts it can have, visit the Leon County Schools website.
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