School district budgets are facing a powerful wave of financial pressures

In addition to inflation at a 40-year high, unprecedented enrollment declines and an impending economic downturn, districts are also facing the looming ESSER fiscal cliff. Districts need to plan now to manage the ESSER funding fiscal cliff and protect students. The higher spending of the ESSER funds in the final months opens the door for deeper spending cuts come the 2024-25 school year. Past experience has shown that when districts make big budget cuts in a single year, kids pay the price. Read more about the ESSER fiscal cliff challenge, here.