West Linn-Wilsonville board hears budget shortfall, community urges transparency and alternatives to layoffs

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District presented details of an ongoing budget process that will include significant staffing reductions unless additional state funding materializes, and members of the public pushed the board to explore alternatives and increase transparency.

Superintendent Dr. Ludwig told the board the district has produced a proposed budget and is moving through the public timeline: the budget committee meets May 5 and will deliberate in public on May 19, with adoption by the school board scheduled for June 16. The superintendent said staff had been informed of potential reductions and that administrators were working to identify voluntary transfers and other placement options for affected employees.

Board members said state-level funding remains the central uncertainty. Director Sloop and Director Vidal reported recent advocacy in Salem on special education funding: Sloop noted House Bill 2953 (lifting or increasing the cap on special education funding) and House Bill 2448 (adding $200 million to the high-cost disabilities account) had been heard in March and still must move through ways and means and both chambers.

Why it matters: the district faces multi‑million dollar shortfalls that would affect school staffing and programs for the coming year. Dr. Hughes, speaking for the business office, reported an estimated fiscal year 2024-25 ending fund balance of about $14,000,000 (approximately 10.19% of revenue) after proposed adjustments and recommended releasing contingency funds for planning purposes.

Public commenters urged alternatives to layoffs and clearer district commitments. Athena Contreras said the community needed more transparent decision-making and deeper exploration of alternatives beyond immediate cuts. Barb Stratt asked the board not to extend the superintendent's contract and said the community sought leadership with more collaboration and accountability. One commenter said primary classrooms could average 28 but pointed out merged classes can reach 33 students and criticized levy language that, she said, implied multiyear staffing protections that the district cannot guarantee.

Several speakers urged the board and administration to consider furlough days as a less disruptive option. The superintendent and other district leaders said furloughs are a labor‑negotiated mechanism that can generate savings because employees forgo wages, and that any furlough proposal would require bargaining‑unit approval and likely approval by the board as part of contract changes. The superintendent emphasized that at present neither the board nor the district office had proposed furlough days; she said the idea was being discussed among employee groups and that the district would await a formal proposal.

Board members and commenters also asked for written assurances about how any temporary savings (for example, furlough proceeds or late state funding) would be applied to teacher recall if additional state dollars arrive after the budget is adopted.

What happens next: the budget committee will review a draft on May 5, hold a public work session May 19 (with an overflow on May 21 if needed), and the board is scheduled to adopt the 2025-26 budget on June 16. Directors Sloop and Vidal indicated they would continue advocacy in Salem for increased special education funding and other relief.

Ending: Several speakers asked the board to provide clearer, written commitments on how any new state revenue or temporary district savings would be applied before finalizing staffing reductions; the board and superintendent said they would continue to brief the public during the upcoming budget meetings.