Hillsborough schools announce budget hearing as questions linger
Board members fear federal and state changes could have big impacts.
Tampa Bay Times | By Divya Kumar | July 10, 2025
As Hillsborough County’s school district readies its budget for next year, uncertainty still circles over the past year’s financials, and federal changes threaten funding for meal assistance, migrant education programs and more.
At a meeting Tuesday, the board approved the first public hearing for the budget on July 29.
But first, board members had questions for the district.
Board member Lynn Gray asked about possible cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Deputy Superintendent Chris Farkas said SNAP changes could impact the schools that participate in the Community Eligibility Provision, which provides free meals to all students at schools that currently have 25% percent or more who are eligible for SNAP benefits. That would require more families to individually apply for free or reduced meal prices, he said, but for the next year, the program will remain the same.
“Can we use the fund balance if we get in a situation where we do not have free breakfast, free and reduced lunch?” Gray asked. “You don’t have to answer that now, but I want to put it on the radar, because I am very concerned that in 2028 the SNAP benefits will be cut, and I’m seeing this as a warning shot.”
Gray also asked about a new federal funding freeze, which she said could lead to millions withheld from Hillsborough County, including funding for migrant education and English language learner programs. Would the district be willing to tap into its fund balance for that, she asked.
Superintendent Van Ayres clarified that the federal funds were not a guaranteed loss, but are being reviewed. The funds are typically made available to the district in the fall anyway, and it is unclear how long the review process may take.
“They have not said we are not getting this funding,” he said. “But in light of that, because that could happen, the team is already building contingency plans.”
Board chairperson Jessica Vaughn asked about state funds.
The district is still waiting on its fourth count for enrollment, which ties directly to state funding, and is typically released in April. After the state’s third count, the district faced an $18.3 million shortfall. Part of that was due to a lower enrollment count, which district officials hope to see rebound in the fourth count, but part was due to the state pulling funds back from each district to account for a wider shortfall.
“We don’t know if they’ll do another adjustment to the appropriation, which I think is a major concern,” Lewis said. “But until we know that, that is really holding up a lot of things … and that obviously leads into what things or flexibilities we can do for the next year.”
Board member Patti Rendon said the fifth count for the 24-25 year, which arrives in September and includes summer enrollment, is typically when funds from the previous year are adjusted based on total enrollment. Still, Vaughn said the state Department of Education pulling back funds was unprecedented. Vaughn said she was told it was due to the state over-funding the voucher program.
“That’s not the answer they gave us,” Lewis said. “They gave us clarity that they just adjusted the appropriation because the state budget for education was in need of that assistance. It was not directly tied to one thing or another.”
Vaughn asked for more clarity.
“Are we going to get in front of families to let them know if we head into the next year in a $50 million deficit due to legislative and federal changes?” she asked. “Is that something we’re going to be clear about so our community doesn’t think we are evil school board members who are guarding money and refusing to pass it on to families and our schools?”
