HOMER, NY (607NewsNow) – Staff cuts are coming in the Homer Central School District (HCSD).

On March 4, Superintendent Jeffrey Evener shared a “candid assessment” of the financial challenges the district is facing in the years ahead.

Evener says expenses have outpaced revenues for several years, and previous tax levy strategies, as well as exhausted savings and rising costs, have led to large deficits. The district is facing a $2 million shortfall this fiscal year and a projected deficit of over $5 million for 2026-2027. More details are available here.

A spending freeze for the current year has been implemented, and the district is restructuring its interest-earning practices. They’re currently reviewing vendor contracts to find any additional savings opportunities.

Evener adds that employee salaries and benefits constitute more than 70% of the district budget, and they cannot close the gap with operational cuts alone. Staffing levels will be reduced at the end of the school year to balance the budget. Evener calls it a “painful necessity,” and says it will take several budget cycles to restore financial health.

All impacted staff will be notified as soon as decisions are finalized. HCSD is reaching out to state representatives about the possibility of fiscal relief and will provide continuous updates leading up to the budget vote in May.

Evener was hired in April 2025 to succeed the retiring Thomas Turck. Evener began on July 1 last year.