Corvallis SD 509J budget preview assumes $11.4 billion state allocation, projects 5,661 students for 2025–26

Lauren Wolf, director of finance for Corvallis SD 509J, told the district’s budget committee on Tuesday that staff will present a proposed budget that uses several conservative fiscal assumptions while reflecting recent contract terms.

Wolf said the draft assumes a statewide state school fund allocation of $11,400,000,000 and applies a 2.6% consumer price index figure to non-personnel costs. She told the committee the district has applied step increases and contract cost-of-living adjustments for eligible employees, increased PERS employer rates by about 6% and added a $50-per-month insurance contribution for eligible employees.

Wolf said the district is projecting enrollment of 5,661 students for 2025–26, a decline of 237 students from the current year, and a general fund budget of just over $115,000,000. "We are projecting 5,661 students, which will be a decrease of 237 students from the current year," she said.

Why it matters: enrollment, state funding and personnel costs are the three largest drivers of a school district budget. Using a statewide state school fund assumption and a modest CPI estimate sets the baseline for staffing and program decisions the budget committee and school board will make in May and June.

Key details from staff presentation: - Budget schedule: staff will publish the proposed budget and supporting book the Friday before the next budget committee meeting; board adoption will follow in June with required filings to counties and the ESD. - Document structure: the budget book will include an executive summary (superintendent’s message and narrative), an organizational section (district demographics and policies), a financial section (tables for all funds), and an informational section with historical data and performance metrics. - Fund structure: the district reports five main funds (general, special revenues, debt service, internal service, and capital projects when present); special revenues will include more than $10 million in federal funds that largely sit outside the general fund.

Wolf emphasized timing and uncertainty. "We don't know how much money we are going to get for next year," she said of the state school fund, noting the May 15 economic forecast and legislative action can change allocations. Superintendent Ryan Nas told the committee that adopting a budget in a legislative session year is typical, and that supplemental adjustments are sometimes necessary after the legislature finishes its work.

Financial assumptions and risks called out by staff included PERS rate increases, the state funding forecast, potential reductions in federal grants, and volatile material costs that can affect capital projects. Wolf said staff will present the full proposed budget at the next committee meeting and that committee members may approve it at that meeting or deliberate further.

Ending: The committee was told the full proposed budget and related reports will be posted and distributed before the next meeting; staff asked members to review the executive summary and identify topics they want explained during deliberations.