HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Addison Davis answered tough questions Friday about budget cuts and job losses.
During an emergency school board meeting, Davis talked about the challenges he has faced leading the district during the pandemic — notably a large budget shortfall.
He said he was aware of some financial issues in Hillsborough Schools when he took the job in March 2020 but says "I had no idea how bad it was."
What You Need To Know
- Hillsborough County school board had emergency meeting Friday
- Superintendent Addison Davis grilled on budget, school cuts and how some employees were notified of layoffs
- State Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran says Hillsborough district in a financial crisis
- More Education headlines
Davis said there were actually concerns about meeting payroll and stressed that as “painful as job cuts were,” they were necessary. He also responded to a survey of principals and administrators that revealed complaints about communication and morale.
Supt. Davis says he was aware of some budget issues in Hillsborough Schools when he took the job but says "I had no idea how bad it was." Says there was concern they wouldnt be able to make payroll. Says cuts were necessary and that is "painful". @BN9
— Laurie Davison (@Laurie_Davison) April 23, 2021
In recent months, Davis and his staff have been talking about the district's budget problems and their plans to fix it. But he specifically has been under fire for those jobs cuts.
He apologized Friday for how employees were notified about job cuts in an email last week.
"We should treat people with respect and dignity,” he said.
The meeting came a day after Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran said finances in Hillsborough County Schools have reached a “point of crisis.”
Corcoran also is threatening a takeover of the district’s finances.
The district has 20 days to outline solutions to Corcoran's concerns.
Hillsborough School
— Laurie Davison (@Laurie_Davison) April 23, 2021
Board attorney talking about what happens if the state takes over because of financial crisis. Reading them exactly what would happen. He also says they will be looking at legal options. @BN9
Even with recent job cuts, school officials say they ran the numbers and still need to make up about $80 million to get the district on firmer financial footing.
The district was hoping to use Federal Cares Act funding for some things, but they say the state is withholding portions of that money for reasons that remain unclear - and also telling them the money can't be used to balance the budget.
"We're looking at what auditors are saying, the inability to do that, and that puts us in a very difficult place,” Davis said.
Some federal funds might arrive by the end of May, but that could be too late. The board attorney is looking into exactly what a state takeover would entail and also exploring legal options.
Another meeting is planned for early May for an update on the school’s finances.
Board member Melissa Snively says she still has faith in Superintendent Davis.
Board member Jessica Vaughn said school staffs who have been working through the pandemic feel "terrified and unsupported.” She added there are ways to downsize with empathy and compassion and that that hasn't happened.
Board members said the survey will help them come up with a professional development plan for Davis.
Chairperson Lynn Gray said "I know he (Davis) doesn’t want these results. He wants to do better."