‘Struggling and Left Behind’: Stillwater Public Schools Addresses Budget Cut Concerns

STILLWATER, Okla. (KOKH) — Stillwater Public Schools is trying to address concerns arising in the community as the district plans to introduce budget cuts for the 2025-2026 school year.

SPS Acting Superintendent Janet Vinson released a notice to staff pushing back against what she called “misinformation” about the process.

The SPS Board of Education approved a round of cuts to address a budget shortfall.

The school district plans to reduce expenses by approximately $5.5 million.

Ashley Kirven-Bobier voiced opposition to the plan and expressed concern regarding its impact on special education funding.

She said her special needs son has had to overcome major challenges just to be able to show up to school.

“He began to experience school refusal. Getting him out of the house each day was a literal battle,” she shared.

However, the parent said his situation improved with the help of district staff.

Saralynn Boren, another special education parent, argued, “I was there when you talked about doing this in a way that would impact students the least at the board meeting a few weeks ago and this proposal does not do that.”

As federal pandemic-era relief dollars dry up, officials say they must make changes to balance the books. According to the district, SPS spends about $10 million more on payroll than other comparably sized districts.

Board members approved reducing administrative costs by 16%, certified teaching by 4%, guiding and counseling by 12%, instructional support by 31%, operational support by 15%, non-salary general fund expenditures by 15%, and student support services by 29%.

Student support services include special education.

However, according to the district, the approved plan does not mean special education is getting cut down by almost a third.

According to Vinson, “That 29% reflects multiple support areas and includes a significant amount of staffing expenditures being moved to federal, state and competitive grants.”

Officials told FOX 25 that the reduction just reflects the money going to student support from the general fund.

The district does not expect to let go of any special education teachers.

“These proposed cuts would leave children like my son struggling and left behind,” Kirven-Bobier asserted.

The district said it did its best to keep cuts as far away from students and teachers as possible.

Officials say those who are let go will have help finding a new job.

Vinson’s full letter can be read below:

Dear SPS Staff,

I am writing to provide you with important information regarding budget reductions for the 2025-2026 school year that were approved during the recent School Board meeting this past Tuesday. The board of education has approved reductions in the general fund budget defining percentages in certain areas. This reduction outline can be found on the board meeting agenda. To be clear, the reductions will not be taking effect until the 2025-2026 school year, and they are simply bringing us back to pre-COVID levels of staffing and spending. Federal ESSER funds were used to boost staffing and that funding source has now ended. We have hired over 150 support and certified personnel for this school year alone, so we believe that most of the reductions will take place through attrition.

We understand that this is a time of uncertainty, and we are committed to being as transparent as possible during this process. The first phase of reductions are in administration, and the departments affected will be made aware prior to winter break. No further staffing reductions will be determined until after winter break. This will allow district administration time to evaluate natural attrition and retirement that may impact staffing decisions moving forward. We want to be deliberate in our approach, and this additional time will help ensure we are preserving positions and making the best decisions for the district as a whole. If we are forced to make reductions beyond attrition for the 25-26 school year, we will follow SPS BOE Policy and the negotiated agreements to make those reductions. Rest assured, we will be following the established guidelines to ensure fairness and consistency throughout the process.

We also believe that much of the misinformation shared in media reports and community conjecture has created a false narrative that we are reducing special education by 29%. This is not accurate. That 29% reflects multiple support areas and includes a significant amount of staffing expenditures being moved to federal, state and competitive grants.

If you are a staff member who is considering retirement or choosing not to return for the upcoming school year, we kindly ask that if it is possible, you inform your site administration before winter break. This will assist us in planning for the number of positions that will need to be reduced and preserve as many employee positions as possible.

I want to thank you for your continued dedication to our students and the district. We are committed to supporting all staff members through this transition and will do our best to keep you informed as we move forward.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your site administration or district leadership. We are here to help and support you during this time.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate these changes together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Janet Vinson

Acting Superintendent

Stillwater Public Schools