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Finding #25 — OT & Speech: Budget Says 'Adding' 1.0 full-time equivalent — But Line Items Show Massive Cuts

Severity: high · Category: staffing · Last updated: Apr 15, 2026 · Dollar amount: −$207,623

Summary

The narrative says the district is adding 0.5 OT and 0.5 Speech Therapist. But OT wages are cut 51% at one location and 73% at another. Speech wages cut $75,701 at Village. Are they adding or reshuffling?

Detail

Program Extensions list additions of 0.5 full-time equivalent OT ($47,500) and 0.5 full-time equivalent Speech ($47,500). Full Financial Report shows simultaneous cuts to existing positions:

OT: • OT Wages Location 1: $142,502 → $69,710 (−$72,792, −51%) • OT Wages Location 2: $35,229 → $9,500 (−$25,729, −73%) • OT Benefits: $37,025 → $3,624 (−$33,401, −90%)

Speech: • Speech Wages (Village): $192,053 → $116,352 (−$75,701, −39%)

Impact

+$95K in 'new' OT/Speech vs. −$207K in existing OT/Speech cuts = net reduction

Source

Document: FY27 Budget Book + Full Financial Report
Reference: Budget Book p.10 — Program Extensions (items 8-9) · Full Financial Report: OT/Speech wage lines across locations
Q&A: Not raised in Budget Workshop Q&A (now 86+ questions)

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