Nov. 18, 2024

Dear Team SPS:

As part of the annual budget development process, SPS has begun reviewing revenue projections, expenditures and staffing needs for the 2025-2026 school year. Last year, SPS projected that it would be necessary to reduce expenditures by $15 million over the next two years. This is in addition to a reduction of $15 million made in the 2024-2025 budget. 

“Long-term fiscal stability is a focus of our strategic plan and is key to the district’s ability to continue to provide quality learning opportunities for students,” explained Superintendent Grenita Lathan. “Over the past few years, steady state and local funding, a healthy fund balance, and federal stimulus money have provided the resources necessary to address our needs. However, anticipated funding shortfalls due to the end of ESSER stimulus funds and a reduction of local and state revenue, will require SPS to maximize efficiencies and carefully consider all expenditures over the next few years.”

To achieve this necessary result, SPS has identified nearly $2 million in savings for 2025-2026 by reducing costs related to purchased services, supplies, maintenance, etc.

Roughly 80 percent of the district’s operating budget is allocated to employee salary and benefits. SPS has currently identified 142 positions at all levels, including administration, departments and schools, to be discontinued or modified for next school year. Of these, 59 will be achieved through attrition as employees retire or resign. Individuals who are currently employed in the remaining 83 positions were informed on Nov. 15 that they would be impacted.

A savings of $8.5 million in salaries and benefits will be achieved with the staffing changes, which will not take effect until June 30, 2025. Our Human Resources team will support these employees during this transition, as they consider applying for other job opportunities in the district for which they are qualified.

“We value every member of Team SPS and believe each position plays an important role in serving our 25,000 students,” Lathan said. “Although our desire would be to maintain current staffing levels, we must make difficult decisions and be responsible with the resources we are given.”

To assist with budget planning, SPS encourages any employee who knows they will not be returning to work for SPS in 2025-2026 to notify Human Resources as soon as possible. This will help with placing staff who are impacted by budget reductions in other positions as appropriate. 

A $1,500 one-time incentive for early notification of separation is available to eligible employees who submit notice by Nov. 30, 2024. Review all eligibility requirements for this incentive here. Employees who do not meet these eligibility requirements may still be eligible for one of the other early notification incentives in accordance with Policy GCPB.

Please reach out to your supervisor if you have any questions about this process.