SJSD tightens budget, approved $2.7 million in cuts

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) --  The St. Joseph School Board is working tighten its purse strings to improve its reserve ratio.

At Monday's meeting, board members reviewed a new budget reduction plan for the 2025–2026 academic year. 

Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, Robert Hedgecorth, walked the board through how the district identified areas to reduce spending this year. 

He said when the last fiscal year ended, the district’s reserve ratio — the balance between the operating fund and total expenses — came in at just 10.2%, an amount 20% below what board policy requires.  

“So the October budget amendment we presented to the Board of Education totaled just over $2.7 million to reduce this year, and thankfully, the board did approve that adjustment,” Hedgecorth said.  

He added, most of the reductions were aimed at helping the district balance its budget and rebuild the 20% reserve ratio in the coming years.

Hedgecorth said some of the biggest reductions came from technology and operations — including upgraded security cameras and maintenance projects that were scheduled for updates.  

“We identified those items that we could remove from this year’s expenses to create $2.7 million that we presented to the board and these adjustments were also scheduled for improvements on different areas,” Hedgecorth said.  

He emphasized, none of the cuts will impact staff or students, adding that protecting classrooms was the top priority throughout the process.  

Hedgecorth said the review was collaborative — each department was asked to look at its budget and identify about 10% or more in potential cuts with the least effect on instruction.  

“We set a meeting with each group and then went through those items that they discussed and made sure the items they have listed are things are make sense to be reduced without impacting the classrooms,” Hedgecorth said.  

Hedgecorth also noted, while the district remains under contract with certain services through the end of this year, those areas could be reconsidered in the next budget cycle.

Hedgecorth said this process has already helped make future fiscal years more financially sound.