Springfield's District 186 is evaluating potential budget cuts over the next three years, with a focus on minimizing the impact on classrooms. The district has proposed a deficit reduction plan due to concerns about state and federal funding.

Superintendent Jennifer Gill emphasized the district's commitment to maintaining essential services. "We want to keep these cuts as far away from the classroom as possible," she said.

One of the programs under consideration for termination is the before-and-after-school program, SCOPE.

Gill assured parents that the district would not leave them without support. "So we need to make sure that we are operating our program efficiently and effectively and we would never leave parents without this service," she said.

The district is also exploring cost-saving measures by leaving some teaching positions unfilled after current staff retire or leave.

Steve Miller, Director of Business, Finance, and Operations, explained, "If we looked at it in-depth this year, we know that we can cut about 15 middle school and high school positions across the three buildings."

He clarified that these reductions would occur through attrition, not layoffs.

In addition to staffing adjustments, the district is benefiting from new solar panels, which are expected to save $96,000 annually.

"The solar company is estimating that we're going to see a $96,000 per year savings," Miller said. "Half of that has already come this year because we turned it on halfway through the year, so $48,000 this year will now go into the budget and an additional $48,000 next year for that total of $96,000 going into the budget."

Board President Micah Miller highlighted the importance of maintaining facilities to protect investments.

"The amount of money we're spending on facilities, over 300 million dollars that's being bonded, that's the easiest way for your investment to go south," he said. "So it's really all about extending, basically, the life of our investment and protecting that investment from that 1% sales tax money."

Overall, the district estimates potential savings of over $4.7 million over the next three years.

Despite the proposed cuts, the school board has tabled the decision to end the SCOPE program.

Superintendent Gill reassured parents in an email, stating, "We remain committed to working with the Board of Education to determine the best path forward for before and after school programming in District 186. Our priority is to ensure that families have the support they need, at an affordable price with the same great opportunities."