Unraveling the Effects of Springfield Public Schools' Budget Cuts

Details of Staff Cuts

On Monday, Springfield Public Schools officials elaborated on the cuts for the next school year. They announced the elimination of the equivalent of 142 positions through attrition, separation, and a reduction in teaching days. These cuts have been known for more than three years as the district prepared for the end of COVID-relief funds.

Of the positions cut, 15 represent a reduction in certain employees' teaching days. Another 68 are separations, with positions being removed from next year's budget. Additionally, 59 positions will be left vacant and not filled through attrition. Superintendent Grenita Lathan explained that many of these positions were hired with the infusion of federal aid related to COVID recovery. In 2021, as the district hired new positions to address learning loss, they knew these positions would likely be temporary.

Budgetary Implications

Known as ESSER funds, the district budgeted for a loss of about $30.3 million in revenue. Through these staff cuts, the district can reduce $8,579,988 in salaries and benefits. Combined with $1,920,108 from reductions in services and supplies, the district has made $10,500,096 in cuts towards their $15 million target. This will help keep raises in place for teachers and prevent the need to cut educational programs like the SPS Choice programs.

Most departments saw a relatively even reduction, with positions ranging from IT and custodial to library and nutrition workers, as well as director and coordinator-level positions. Several teaching positions were cut due to enrollment shifts, and one of the biggest areas for reductions was in instructional coaches, with 20 positions eliminated. However, these workers were able to be retained in a new specialist position.

Impact on Teachers

Laura Mullins, president of the Springfield National Education Association, expressed concerns about how these cuts could affect teachers. She is still determining the exact number of affected staff but estimates it to be around 80 positions. Many of these positions help teachers deal with challenges, and Mullins believes that teachers and staff on the ground should not suffer due to poor decision-making.

One issue is the reduction of 20 instructional coach positions, which helped teachers catch students up from pandemic-related learning losses. In the current school year, 122 such positions were cut due to ESSER funding loss, but the district found a way to fund about 60 of those spots. With local and state funding boosts, these 60 positions were kept. Lathan was able to retain 41 of the remaining 61 instructional coach positions by creating new "Data Driven Instructional Specialist" positions, with additional data and professional development responsibilities. Mullins is skeptical about the true cost savings.

Concerns from IB Parents

One of the positions not being renewed is the coordinator for the IB Primary Years Programme. The district's IB courses span from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade and emphasize leadership and community skills. Nichole Baker, a mother of four in IB programs, values the curriculum's focus on the whole child. She is concerned that if the coordinator position is removed, the program will suffer.

"Our children, starting in kindergarten, are exposed to parts of their world, and it helps them find their voice as a global citizen," Baker said. "All my kids are so passionate about their community and environment, and it's because of the things they were taught."

The district's collective bargaining agreement with teachers requires them to post open jobs by the first Friday in January each year. This process helped some of the targeted employees find other positions within the district.