TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A final budget is now set for Leon County Schools after the School Board approved a $615 million budget for the 26-27 school year.<\/p>\n
The budget, which was approved in a 4-1 vote, is down $32 million from last year.<\/p>\n
District leaders say it feels like deja vu as they\u2019re once again dealing with many of the same budget issues they faced last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cNone of us are happy about this budget situation, we\u2019re all disappointed,\u201d Superintendent Rocky Hanna said. \u201cOur staffing plan, we only funded at 98% this year. Our emergency reserves are at the lowest that I\u2019ve seen now in my 11th year as superintendent.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Leon County School Board members, approving the 2026-2027 budget didn\u2019t come without some tough decisions, and not every board member supported it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to be a no on the budget this year until we find a way to make the deep cuts to support our teachers and support staff,\u201d School Board Member, District 1, Alva Smith said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo suggest that no work has been done, I can\u2019t think of a more disingenuous statement. Should there be more cuts, absolutely. We walked about consolidation,\u201d School Board Chair, Dr. Marcus Nicolas said.<\/p>\n
We previously reported enrollment is down and Leon County Schools unveiled 7.8 million dollars in cuts<\/a> for the upcoming year. <\/p>\n Those cuts impact staffing, administration, arts and athletics and community groups. <\/p>\n \u201cWe cut our district costs centers, all district operations by over 6% this year, by consolidating positions, reducing operating expenses,\u201d Hanna said. \u201cSo, we\u2019ll continue to look at ways to cut at the district and not affect the classroom, but at some point, the classroom is going to be affected.\u201d <\/p>\n Teachers also won\u2019t be getting the raises they had hoped for. <\/p>\n Hanna says the district may have to turn to voters for help to approve an increase in the millage rate<\/a> to support teachers and staff.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to be forced, locally, to raise money by increasing the millage rate in order to do right by our teachers and our support staff,\u201d Hanna said. \u201cUnfortunately, the state is not going to do their job and I have full faith the voters here in Leon County will step up because they love our public schools.\u201d<\/p>\n The Board is expected to adopt the final $615 million budget at its meeting on September 8.<\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n