Finance committee amends and unanimously forwards Portland Public Schools FY2026 budget to full board

The Portland Public Schools Finance, Operations & Personnel Committee voted unanimously March 24 to amend the superintendent—s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and to forward the amended budget to the full board.

The amendment approved by the committee reduces non-personnel expenses by $50,440 to match expected fundraising from the Foundation for Portland Public Schools, trims 0.5 full-time-equivalent (FTE) educational technician at ROE, and corrects several facilities position title entries in the budget book. Committee Chair Sarah Bryden said the changes are intended to ensure the budget book —reflects dollars and cents exactly as it currently appears.

Why it matters: the committee—s vote sends the district—s proposed FY2026 budget, as amended, to the full Portland Public Schools Board of Education for consideration at its next meeting. Committee members and staff flagged uncertainty around upcoming benefit premium numbers; the committee discussed options the board could use if benefit costs come in higher than estimated.

The amendment was introduced by Chair Sarah Bryden and seconded by Board member Lena. Bryden read the three specific adjustments into the record: a $50,440 reduction to non-personnel expenses to align with Foundation fundraising; a 0.5 FTE reduction to an ed-tech position at ROE; and text/title corrections for certain custodial/facilities positions listed in the budget book (items transcribed as corrections from "b c 3 h c" to "b c 4 h h c" and updates at Ocean and King). Board member Opperman, Board member Lena, Board member Noor and Bryden all voted yes on the amendment; the committee recorded a unanimous vote.

After completing amendments, the committee considered and passed, by unanimous roll call, a motion to move the amended FY2026 budget to the full board. Board member Opperman moved the motion to forward the budget and Board member Lena seconded; the committee recorded unanimous support.

During discussion, Opperman revisited prior committee concerns about possible increases in benefit costs and asked how the board would address costs that materialize after the committee forwards the budget. Superintendent Gallon (staff) said the district is seeking daily updates from its benefits provider and suggested several approaches the board could use if premiums come in higher: hold an amount in reserve, identify offsets elsewhere in the budget, or bring adjustments back to the board for the first reading. Gallon also explained that the full board ultimately approves the tax levy amount that goes to the City Council, and that adjustments to accommodate higher benefits costs would require additional board action.

Committee members asked that the materials the full board receives for the April 1 meeting reflect the most recent numbers and the committee—s amendments. Chair Bryden agreed to send a communication to the full board describing the context and the specific changes that were made in the budget book.

The Finance, Operations & Personnel Committee meeting opened at 6:03 p.m. and adjourned at 6:23 p.m. The amended FY2026 budget will appear in the board packet for the April 1 board meeting.

"I vote yes on the amendment," Board member Opperman said during the roll call. Chair Bryden recorded the motion's passage and the committee's unanimous votes to both amend and forward the budget.