The Timberlane budget committee approved the high school’s proposed FY26 budget of $1,034,099 after the presenter described large increases driven primarily by career-technical-education (CTE) tuition and rising costs for outside LEA placements.

The presenter said CTE enrollment rose from roughly 113 students last year to 147 this year; using the district’s per-student CTE cost estimate (presented in the meeting), that change translates into a major line-item increase — the presenter used a per-student figure to explain why the CTE line rose by roughly $271,379. The presenter said the district has limited ability to control that line because seats and programs are provided by regional CTE centers (for example, Salem and Pinkerton). Committee members discussed the long timeline and substantial facility and staffing requirements that would be necessary for Timberlane to host its own full CTE program in the near term.

The presenter also said the LEA (local education agency) tuition line rose by about $23,000 (a roughly 51% jump in a particular LEA tuition line discussed) and cited increased information-access fees, mental-health week programming and a proposed library maker-space as other drivers. The presenter described mental-health week as a new, schoolwide program that included guest speakers, food trucks and a 5K; the school reported positive student response and budgeted additional funds to continue the program.

Committee members asked about seat availability at regional CTE centers and whether Timberlane was turning students away; the presenter said some programs fill and not every student seeking seats is admitted. The committee approved the high-school budget unanimously for FY26 consideration.