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Superintendent signals planned mid-year reductions as district tracks toward shortfall; lawmakers’ bills could alter outlook
Summary
Interim superintendent John Cook told trustees Feb. 28 that Gresham‑Barlow faces a possible mid‑year general‑fund shortfall unless the district scales back discretionary spending and freezes nonessential hiring; Cook outlined a tiered $8.7 million reduction plan tied to state revenue assumptions and pending legislation.
Gresham-Barlow interim superintendent John Cook told the board Feb. 28 that district finance staff have identified a projected general‑fund shortfall tied to rising costs and slower revenue growth and presented a multi-step plan for mid‑year reductions.
Cook said preliminary figures show the district’s projected ending fund balance would fall below the board’s 8 percent minimum unless the district takes corrective steps. He reported the district’s projected ending-fund balance was near 6.89 percent under the current assumptions and that the district had identified roughly $8.7 million in potential reductions if the governor’s preliminary revenue assumptions (an $11.36 million baseline referenced in district planning) remain unchanged.
Actions planned now include suspending non‑essential discretionary spending, holding open nonessential vacancies, delaying out‑year capital transfers where feasible and reviewing a set of tiered reductions so leaders can scale cuts depending on final revenue. Cook noted key budget deadlines: the district must plan for May 14 contract/notification timelines even though the Legislature’s final revenue forecast could change in mid‑May; that timing forces districts to prepare reductions before all final state revenues are known.
Cook emphasized the district still hopes for higher-than-projected SIA (Student Investment Account) and High School Success allocations, and that pending state actions (including a spend cap or additional targeted allocations such as high‑cost disability funding increases) could substantially change the district picture. Cook also described the state’s “high-cost disability” reimbursement as limited and said even if it increases it is unlikely to cover the full cost of the highest‑cost placements. He reported the district would consider temporary position eliminations, transfers, and—only if necessary—formal reduction‑in‑force notices in late spring if final revenue requires it.
On legislation, Cook and the district’s legislative representative summarized multiple bills: the implementation and timing of Senate Bill 3 (new required courses for personal finance and postsecondary pathways and the state waiver process), proposed changes to substitute‑teacher procurement and a politically sensitive bill that would allow striking employees to claim unemployment benefits. Cook said such proposals could complicate district bargaining and labor costs if adopted.
Ending: Cook asked the board to anticipate a budget calendar update and for trustees to expect action items in March and April as staff refine numbers and prepare possible adoption options.
