Dublin City Schools approves $3M in new cuts to address deficit
The district says the cuts are part of its Fiscal Year 2026 Deficit Reduction Plan following a reported $13 million shortfall.
DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Dublin City Schools says its Board of Education has approved $3 million in new budget reductions as part of an ongoing effort to recover from a multimillion-dollar deficit.
According to a news release posted on the school district’s Facebook page Tuesday, the action was taken at an October board meeting. However, no publicly posted agenda or minutes from October are available on the district’s website.
The district says the additional cuts are part of its Fiscal Year 2026 Deficit Reduction Plan and follow earlier steps to address a reported $13 million shortfall, “the result of severe and unprecedented financial constraints.”
According to the district, the plan represents “the next step in a multi-year effort to balance the district’s budget and restore fiscal health.”
“While these decisions are some of the hardest we’ve ever had to make, they are vital to securing the long-term stability of Dublin City Schools,” Interim Superintendent Marcee Pool said. “Our focus throughout this process has been on maintaining the quality of instruction for our students and minimizing the impact in the classroom as much as possible. Every decision was made with that commitment in mind.”
The plan includes a reduction of 10 calendar days for the 2025–2026 school year, elimination of school choice transportation routes and suspension of all district-paid travel, with professional development to happen virtually. Board members will waive their salaries for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and all board travel will be eliminated next year.
The district also announced staffing adjustments effective December 18, including the reduction and realignment of positions across schools and departments, along with fewer workdays for certain administrative and support roles. The Lucky Loot employee incentive program, which supplies a retention bonus each January, will be rescheduled for February 2026 after receipt of property tax revenues.
Earlier this month, the Georgia Department of Education announced State School Superintendent Richard Woods appointed Dr. Stephanie Johnson as a Special Advisor to Dublin City Schools to help implement the district’s Financial Improvement Plan. The department said Johnson will spend two to three days each week in Dublin supporting the district’s leadership team and coordinating with state officials.
“The Georgia Department of Education’s goal is to ensure stability for students, teachers, and staff in Dublin City Schools while keeping learning at the center,” Woods said in an October 6 news release. “Dr. Johnson will work directly with district leaders to strengthen operations and make sure teaching and learning continue smoothly in every classroom.”
In a separate October 17 release, Woods called for statewide reforms to strengthen financial safeguards for Georgia school districts following the Dublin situation.
“Georgia’s students deserve stability in their learning, and teachers deserve to go to work knowing they will be paid for their efforts,” Woods said. “It’s essential that students, teachers, staff, and families do not bear the costs of financial mismanagement – anywhere in the state, now or in the future.”
Dr. Frederick C. Williams, who led Dublin City Schools for more than 30 years, retired October 3. The Board of Education appointed Pool as interim superintendent the same day.
41NBC reached out to both Dublin City Schools and the Georgia Department of Education earlier this month for additional information about the district’s finances and has not received a response.
41NBC’s Fiona King is in Dublin and working to secure an interview with the superintendent.
