Carlin explains budgetary philosophy
'We are restoring fiscal discipline, cutting waste and putting the focus back where it belongs — on students and in classrooms'
The message was clear during a press conference Friday afternoon – the School District of Lee County will no longer overspend and will become fiscally responsible.
Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin said although the district has lost student enrollment, the majority of dollars they must cut is funding to schools, specifically $35 million spent over enrollment
She said she is unwilling to continue that practice with no rationale.
Over the past couple of weeks there has been extensive discussion and discourse about the efforts to strengthen the school’s financial stability, safeguard taxpayer dollars and make sure the budget focuses on student achievement, and match student enrollment, Carlin said.
“I want to be very clear about what we are doing – we are restoring fiscal discipline, cutting waste and putting the focus back where it belongs — on students and in classrooms,” she said. “We are making sure our community’s tax dollars are used properly while emphasizing student achievement, supporting teachers and maintaining long-term district stability.”
Carlin said when she ran for the elected superintendent position, she made a commitment to residents and taxpayer that she would scrutinize every dollar and how it is spent.
“I am not going to apologize for doing what the voters hired me to do,” she said. “We are eliminating unnecessary spending and refocusing resources to meet the needs of our individual students. We are leading the way at the district office.”
One of Carlin’s first directives after being sworn into office was to cut 5% from every department in her administration.
“We have already cut nearly $16 million with another $6.5 million proposed going into fiscal year ’27,” she said. “We realigned our organizational chart, reduced positions, and streamlined efficiencies. We are holding every part of this organization accountable.”
The cuts made are redirecting resources back into the classrooms as the district’s priorities are simple: Student achievement, teacher support and safe schools, Carlin said.
“Every single decision that is made is grounded in those priorities,” she said.
Carlin said funding allocations have not been realigned for years, leaving individual school budgets based on how things have always been done.
“I was not elected to do things as they have always been done,” she said. “I was elected to bring accountability to the budget and improve student achievement.”
Carlin said overtime legacy spending created a $35 million gap in allocations not tied to current student needs and enrollment.
“Instead, reflected irresponsible spending that had not been adjusted for years,” she said. “This is what I am correcting.”
In practice, it means the district administration is shifting resources out of administrative and support structures that do not directly impact student outcomes.
“We are putting those resources back into direct instruction and the classroom,” she said. “This is not a one-size-fits-all decision coming from the top down. Each principal was directed to build and submit a budget based on the number of students and needs of the campus.”
Those plans are identifying ways to streamline operations and prioritize classroom instruction – including covering roles and consolidating positions where appropriate.
“I hold the final veto pen on each and every one of these budgets,” Carlin said. “I will go through each one to ensure our district priorities are met – that critical programs, including and let me be clear – arts and athletics – remain part of a well-rounded education for students and that wasteful spending is eliminated.”
With this approach, every school will have the resources they need to help students succeed, she said.
“This is what happens when you challenge the way that things have always been done. We are bringing back discipline to the system, we are making decisions based on outcomes and directing resources where they have the greatest impact in the classroom,” Carlin said. “We are going to meet that responsibility with discipline, accountability and clear focus on results.”
The Friday afternoon press conference also included comments from Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas, as he was in Lee County for a bill signing with Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as superintendents, legislatures, and board members from across the state.
The bills included Senate Bill 1296 and House Bill 1279.
He said the signing was held in Lee County because of the example the school board and Carlin are setting across the state.
“These new laws mark real progress in Florida. They ensure that every educator has a stronger voice, students receive higher quality education, and families benefit from greater transparency,” he said.
Kamoutsas said Carlin shares the same vision – putting students first.
“She has demonstrated what strong student-centered leadership looks like,” he said, adding that Carlin and the school board worked together to implement incentives to encourage highly effective teachers to work in lower performing schools.
The discussion took a turn to tout DeSantis signing SB 1296, which changes the rules for how unions can retain their certification.
Proponents say mandating that at least half of all eligible members vote to reaffirm union representation confirms member support for union positions.
Opponents called it anti-worker with Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, issuing a blistering statement:
“It’s no surprise that the Governor has signed this bill right before Teacher Appreciation Week, given how his policies have negatively impacted educators across the state. For the past decade, Florida students have suffered under lawmakers who have placed political agendas ahead of students and their families,” Spar said, in part, in the statement that can be found at https://feaweb.org/release/on-a-day-meant-to-honor-workers-governor-cements-legacy-of-anti-worker-policy/ “Under Governor DeSantis, Florida ranks 50th in the nation in average teacher pay for the third year in a row and 41st in per-student funding. In fact, from 2014-15 to 2024-25, the average teacher salary in Florida fell 12.4% in inflation-adjusted dollars, and almost 60% of all education staff professionals in the state earn less than $35,000 a year. Working families are being asked to pay more and get less while the Governor and too many lawmakers push politically motivated policies that weaken the workforce.”
Kamoutsas said when the effort was challenged by the teacher’s union – Carlin stood firm and defended the district’s action and ultimately prevailed against the union in court.
“And still after losing and after a bill that mutes out the case was passed, they are appealing this to the First District’s Court of Appeal wasting their teachers’ dues,” he said.
Kamoutsas said Carlin also made the tough and necessary decision to reduce spending at the district level protecting resources for the classroom.
“The School District of Lee County is implementing these budgetary restrictions for the upcoming school year with a focus on long-term stability. This is prime example of a responsible government in action,” he said of identifying efficiencies, reducing waste, and strengthening the district’s financial foundation. “Superintendent Carlin has my full support in navigating these necessary adjustments. We are backing these reductions because they represent the right thing to do for the future of our students and community.”
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com