With financial recalculations dating back through 2025, a short-term $95 million loan, cuts and layoffs, and an evolving financial picture, nailing down exactly what kind of deficit the school system faces has been no small task.
But the latest numbers show some glimmers of hope. Earlier projections for the fiscal 2026 deficit had been as high as $16 million, but the working general fund presented on Wednesday put the gap at $5.5 million.
The catch: the reduced deficit hinges partly on the expected sale of district property, which will be a one-time $8 million boost if the sale goes as planned. WLEX reports without the sale and $5 million in capital fund flexibility, which won’t be available until 2028, the deficit looks more daunting — around $18.5 million…