Yakima School Board approves reduction in force; district to notify 97 staff, board cites $6.2 million in savings

The Yakima School Board on April 15 approved Resolution O6.24 0.25, authorizing a proposed reduction in force for program services in the 2025–26 school year. The motion passed on a roll-call vote, 4-0, with Directors Walker, Navarro Jr., Rice and President Beckett voting yes; Vice President Villanueva was excused.

District finance staff told the board the board action would generate about $6.2 million in budget savings and would result in roughly 43 positions being reduced, with 97 employees receiving formal notification. Officials said the proposed staffing impact totals about 47.8 full-time equivalents, described in the presentation as approximately 42.8 certificated FTE and 5 classified FTE.

Why it matters: District leaders said the reductions respond to a multi-year decline in enrollment and ongoing uncertainty in state and federal funding. The board’s action is intended to add modestly to the district’s unreserved fund balance and stabilize monthly cash flow after prior short-term borrowing.

In presenting the resolution, a district finance official said the cuts are painful but…