Letter to the Editor: Difficult choices ahead for Hot Springs school

Thank you for your patience during this time as you await communication regarding budget cuts and potential staff reductions. I know there is anxiety and concern, which is understandable. Please be aware that the difficult discussion of budget shortfalls and the subsequent steps of considering how to best reconcile the situation is fluid and continually evolving. Knowing what to communicate (and when) is challenging until we get through that process and reach a consensus, some of which has occurred in the past four weeks as the budget committee has convened.

So, as of this date, here is the state of things moving forward. As we have met with the Hot Springs Education Association, and I have had initial meetings with employees that we are certain will be affected, I am now sharing a brief summary on the discussion of the committee over the last four weeks of lengthy discussion. The committee reviewed the Districts’ most recently updated finances and considered several different plans for addressing the expected budget shortfall, which is projected for the next fiscal year (2024-25 School Year) to be over $300,000 in the general fund. The options moving forward are also dependent on some key factors with outcomes that are not yet known, including our final student count and levy request that will be decided by Hot Springs School District 14J voters during the school elections in May.

With our current information, two priorities have been emphasized as we consider where costs will be cut to ensure solvency, yet ensure the integrity of educational services within the District; 1) minimal or no impact on students, and 2) the least impact on our core teaching staff. Beyond these two priorities, all options are on the table. Within our current plan, we will shift some costs between other budgets as we are able, in order to preserve as many staff positions as possible. Ultimately, however, we are faced with the difficult reality that we will be having staffing reductions, including cuts at the administrative level. The reductions discussed are based primarily on our declining enrollment (40-plus students in cumulative recent years), an unanticipated increase in inflation, and to a lesser degree, on the expiration of ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding through three federal COVID-19 relief laws.

At the administrative level, we will reduce our leadership staff from two administrators (Superintendent and K-12 Principal) to one administrator (Superintendent/K-12 Principal). At the K-8 level, we will be making one certified position reduction. In addition, we have offered two early retirement incentives at the K-8 level, which if taken, we may or may not fill, depending on financial impact. At the high school level, at this time, we have not yet made the reduction of any certified teaching positions. We will, however, be considering reductions in clubs and activities, as well as reductions in classified staff; we have made one reduction in our custodial staff, and more reductions in classified staff are likely, pending the outcome of a levy request that will be voted on by District voters in the May election.

Through this process, there is not a building or department within the District that will be unaffected in some way. Also, these numbers only tell one part of the story; they do not include additional positions that will be indirectly impacted, or still-developing financial factors that may require us to consider other staffing adjustments.

Reductions in programs and workforce are overwhelming for everyone impacted, and in a small community, it touches us all in some way. Communicating this news is gut-wrenching, and nothing is taken lightly by our committee; our hearts are extremely heavy as we work through it. We are keenly aware that those most impacted are people with families, obligations, and deep connections to our community; good people, our people, dedicated educators who have committed their service to Hot Springs students and our community. These are our neighbors and friends, who frequent our establishments, grocery stores, hardware store, medical clinic, and auto shop. They will be sorely missed.

Any position cut within our District has merit and value. However, please keep in mind that when we are talking about reducing general fund budgets by $300,000, this isn’t about a single position, it’s about several. Please understand that the reduction of a position is not an indication that we don’t value a particular program. Even with staff reductions, we will make every effort to uphold programs and opportunities that are highly valued by our community.

We are experiencing challenging times; we all have a stake in the outcomes. As such, I humbly request that you all keep this in mind in your own conversations, and please do not feed the rumor mills that can so quickly lead to fractured relationships. It takes all of us, communicating respectfully, sensitively, and with accurate facts, to maintain a supportive environment.

The Budget Committee will continue to meet on a regular basis, and we will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. We will continue visiting with staff throughout the spring. If you have any general questions, or would like to fact-check something you may have heard elsewhere, please feel free to reach out to me.

Thank you for your patience and trust during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

Gerald Chouinard

Hot Springs

Superintendent