Augusta School Board Calls Emergency Meeting to Discuss Further Budget Cuts

Over the last few weeks, we have all heard a lot about the new City of Augusta budget.

The recent city council meetings have all dragged on for hours.  For example, the meeting held last week lasted approximately four hours.

One of the most discussed issues was the need to eliminate $2.5 million from the Augusta School District's budget for the next fiscal year.

On Monday, a school board meeting was held at CATC on the Cony Campus.  Following that meeting, the school board's recommendations were sent to the city council.

Some of those cuts include the elimination of a fifth grade teacher, the elimination of several ed tech positions, the elimination of a dean of students position, the cutting of the Cony hockey program, and the postponement of the Cony roof project.  Here is a breakdown of the cuts that have already been approved and what is to be discussed tonight.

After discussing the cuts, the city council has sent a request to the school for additional cuts.

According to an email that went out to parents late last night, there will be an emergency meeting tonight to discuss additional cuts.

The email says, in part:

We are writing to inform you that an emergency School Board meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 6:30 PM.

This meeting has been called in response to direction received at tonight’s City Council meeting, where an additional $500,000 in budget reductions was requested. The School Board will meet to review this directive and discuss potential options for meeting the revised target.

While the meeting does appear to be open to the public, there is no place on the agenda for public comment.