Marion County Public Schools faces $64 million in budget cuts

BY Camille Acevedo

Marion County Public Schools officials say they are having to look for ways to make millions of dollars in cuts to the district budget ahead of the coming school year.

Looking ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, Marion County School Board members will be forced to cut $64.3 million from the budget. 

In a work session earlier this month board members said a decrease in federal funding, district funding and the impacts of inflation are contributing factors. 

They said as many as 157 classroom teachers could be cut — a move that would save $12.56 million. School days could also be reduced to from seven to six periods at Horizon Academy, Liberty Middle School and Osceola Middle School.

There is also the possibility the district may have to cut 56 instructional aide roles for those who assist students with learning deficiencies and disabilities, which would save $4.7 million.

Spectrum News spoke with a parent who is concerned how these potential cuts could impact his child’s education.

“My son has a little bit of special needs and they provide for him very well,” Charles Hauser said. “They really care. And I don’t want to see it change.”

The district already froze all current staffing positions at its central office and reduced the percent of funds set aside for substitutes for next school year. 

“I really like his school," Hauser said. "It has a good reputation and I don’t want to see it impacted because of budget shortfalls."

Earlier this week board members approved $16 million for 65 school resource officers for the upcoming school year using referendum dollars. The officers will come from the Belleview and Ocala police departments and the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

District officials say they are still looking into potential reductions, and nothing has been officially decided. 

https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2025/06/14/marion-county-schools-budget-cuts-