Beloit School District faces budget deficit, plans staff cuts and school closures

The School District of Beloit unveiled its budget for the 2026-2027 school year, which calls for $91.9 million in general education spending and $17.6 million in special education expenses. The budget projects more than $900,000 more in expenses than revenues, driven by declining enrollments. To address the projected deficit, the board passed a preliminary budget that eliminated 48 full-time positions and closed the former Cunningham School for the year.

The district may draw on a $4.6 million special fund created for retiree benefits to cover the deficit. School Board President Tia Johnson questioned whether the budget is truly balanced if savings must be used to cover operational shortfalls.