The Ferguson-Florissant School District in Hazelwood is facing significant financial challenges, prompting discussions of a potential freeze on spending and hiring. This development comes after the identification of cash flow issues and budget imbalances, which Superintendent Joseph Davis revealed during a financial review. The administration plans to propose a temporary spending freeze to the school board to ensure the district can maintain its standard operations. In a message directed to parents, Davis expressed commitment from both the Board of Education and district leadership to address these financial obstacles effectively.
During an interview, Superintendent Davis did not disclose many details about the financial problems or their exact causes. However, he inferred that the issues relate to discrepancies between the number of budgeted positions and actual staff hires. A thorough review of personnel currently employed at district facilities is underway, as Davis aims to clarify where staffing needs stand. While the Board approved the budget in June, it became apparent over the summer that more scrutiny was necessary. The recent transition of chief financial officers—where Riverview Gardens’ former CFO, Lavon Singleton, replaced Cindy Reilmann—might have played a role in uncovering these financial concerns.
Previously, Reilmann had anticipated a $2 million budget surplus before her departure to the Special School District of St. Louis County, opting not to comment on the current situation. Superintendent Davis brought the issue to light last Thursday. Meanwhile, Singleton briefed the school board on finance matters during a closed meeting. Despite the financial constraints, necessary supplies will continue to be supplied, and daily operations will remain uninterrupted. Davis emphasized this prioritization by distinguishing between essential needs, which will be met, and less urgent wants, which may face delays.
In a testament to resilience, the district has seen a positive shift in attendance and a slight increase in enrollment, defying a downward trend since 2020. Though enrollment was marginally lower at the start, it is expected to stabilize as families settle in the area throughout the year. Executive Director of Communications and Marketing, Onye Hollomon, shared that current enrollment stands slightly below last year's figures at 9,041 students.
The financial predicament of Ferguson-Florissant is compounded by broader challenges in public education funding. Federal relief monies that sustained schools during the COVID-19 pandemic ceased at the end of September. As a result, Ferguson-Florissant faces a reduction of $12.6 million in federal revenue this school year. The district claims to have prepared for this eventuality. Additionally, a nationwide teacher shortage exacerbates staffing challenges, with the district's salaries lagging behind neighboring areas despite recent increases—from $40,009 in 2022 to $43,000 projected for 2024. Spending on salaries is also expected to fall short by nearly $5 million compared to previous years due to fewer employees in the district.
