The Chandler School Board approved the district’s Estimate of Needs at its regular meeting on Sept. 14, with the year’s budget down by over $800,000.
The budget is down by approximately $860,000, according to Superintendent Grant Moore.
“We’re going to be very tight on our budget this year,” Moore said, adding that the district had five positions that they didn’t fill over the summer in anticipation of a cut. “Just trying to try to be as safe as we can getting through the school year. Hopefully, we won’t have to do anything else cut-wise, and then look at some other positions next summer to see where we can cut if we don’t get more students.”
Moore said it’s an issue schools across the state are facing, including others in Lincoln County, attributing it to the low birth rate.
The School Board approved the encumbrances for substitute teachers, certified contracts and support employees who have contracts starting September 2026. It also approved the gifted and talented local advisory committee for the school year, which is made up of Jennifer Savage, Pam Anderson,ChristinaHinkle and Ann Taylor.
The Board approved an out-of-state trip for FFA to the National Convention in October, the extra duty schedule and the revised Student Transfer Policy. It also approved a request from Karis Schvetto to implement the Shared Sick Leave Policy.
The School Board went into executive session to discuss employment positions and a new member to the Board of Education to fill Seat #3. They approved the hiring of a Park Road aide, a secondary sub/aide and the appointment of Mandy Myers to the school board for the remainder of the seat’s term.