Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) leaders are grappling with a massive budget reduction, forcing tough choices on staffing and resource allocation. Meanwhile, discussions around Snider High School’s football stadium continue, with some questioning whether an alternate plan could have saved millions.
Budget Slashed from $55M to $18M
At Monday’s board of trustees meeting, Superintendent Mark Daniel laid out the stark reality: the district’s six-year budget has been slashed from $55 million to $18 million. The impact of such a dramatic cut is unavoidable.
“We had to go about – what are you gonna do if you receive that kind of reduction in funding?” Daniel said. “We made a pledge to keep it as far away from the classroom as possible.”
Job Cuts and Cost-Saving Measures
In response, FWCS has eliminated more than 20 positions, resulting in an estimated $3 million in savings on salaries and benefits. The district is taking a strategic approach to absorb these losses without further layoffs.
- Positions won’t be directly replaced – Instead, current employees are being reassigned.
- Duties are being redistributed – Responsibilities are being spread across multiple positions.
- Strategy to avoid further cuts – The district aims to maintain this approach as long as feasible.
“We’re moving people into those positions, combining roles, or spreading duties out among many,” Daniel explained. “That’s our strategy right now.”
Snider Stadium Proposal Comes Too Late
At a time when every dollar counts, an alternative stadium proposal promised a $5 million savings—but district officials say the offer arrived too late to be considered.
Board President Maria Norman stated that the funding for the on-campus stadium had already been allocated, making a shift in plans impossible at this stage.
“With legal counsel, and then ultimately our board was not on board, we wouldn’t have had the votes to pass this project or to switch lanes halfway through,” Norman said.
Keeping the project on track ensures that the Fall 2026 completion deadline remains intact. The decision, while contested, reflects the board’s commitment to following through on prior financial commitments.
