Greenwood School District 50 has finalized a series of strategic budget reductions for Fiscal Year 2026 to ensure long-term financial stability while preserving the quality of instruction and essential student services. These decisions reflect the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, future planning, and transparency.
The total savings for FY26 are projected to total approximately $3.1 million, made possible through a combination of staffing adjustments, contract reevaluations, operational efficiencies, and program realignments.
1. Staff Positions
Through careful restructuring, natural attrition, and strategic reallocation of responsibilities, the following staffing changes were made:
- Reduction of positions due to attrition: $2,020,000
- Other Staffing Changes: $405,000
2. Contract & Software Adjustments
The district evaluated digital tools and subscriptions to eliminate redundancy, consolidate platforms, or switch to more cost-effective solutions:
- Replacement of Visitor and Emergency Management Software: $4,029
- Transition to free alternatives for video editing software: $6,867
- Reduced to per license model on instructional software programs: $6,508
- Replaced RTI/MTSS Program and Student Performance Software: $77,072
- Removal of ERP Modules no longer being used: $18,890
3. Technology & Communication Savings
- Mobile Radios (replaced with Grant Funded Two-Way Radio System): $67,500
- Onboard Account Positioning (now state funded): $17,274
- School Technology Leader & On-Site Technology Stipends: $42,396
4. Professional Development & Supplies
- Reduce K4 consumable supplies to $500 per classroom: $23,250
- Reduce school discretionary funds by $5 per student: $42,255
- Reduce professional development supplies (mainly meals): $10,000
- Reduce professional development & travel (Board and District): $46,000
- Special Education Professional Development Days (moved to general education professional development sessions): $18,500
5. Program & Stipend Reductions
- Conclude the purchase of standard workbooks: $54,281
- Eliminate Special Education Stipends (previously ESSER funded): $47,600
- Eliminate Lead Chair/Dept Head stipends (previously ESSER funded): $16,045
- Eliminate Athletic Early Start Supplements: $30,000
- Correction for 10-Day Athletic Supplements: $15,000
- Lead Student Support Facilitator Supplements: $4,019
6. Transportation & Safety Efficiencies
- Reduce maintenance vehicles taken home (fuel/maintenance savings): $10,000
- Reduce transportation overtime: $15,000
- Eliminate cost of drug dog services (now provided at no cost by Sheriff’s Dept): $16,672
- Restructuring security at events: $15,000
7. Event, Communications, and Promotional Costs
- Eliminate semiannual District-wide staff meals: $45,000
- Eliminate Billboard and Commercial Advertising: $12,175
- D50 shirts: $11,890
- Reduce costs for Administrative Professionals Week: $1,387
8. Other Cost Adjustments
- Disciplinary Hearing Panel hourly rate reduction: $20,000
- Payments to Middle/High Schools for student athletic ticket sales: $28,440
- Reduce custodial overtime due to change in work schedule: $10,000
- GPAC Event Staffing (covered by rental fees): $10,000
Increases & Unavoidable Costs
While many reductions were made, the following increases were required:
- K–8 Curriculum License Expansion: ($17,000)
- Enrich Data Warehouse (previously paid by the State): ($7,771)
- Expanding Cybersecurity Training (insurance requirement): ($16,625)
- Gaggle Safety Management Software (student count adjustment): ($3,800)
- Increase in Trash Service Fees: ($24,000)
A Message from the Superintendent Goodwin
“As always, we want to assure all of our stakeholders that we take our fiscal responsibility seriously. These difficult but necessary reductions reflect months of planning and collaboration to ensure we preserve classroom instruction and essential student services while attempting to balance the budget," Goodwin stated. "We remain committed to transparency and keeping our community informed as we continue navigating financial challenges."
For questions or additional information, please contact the Office of Communications at 864-941-5433.