Longview School District board adopts 2025–26 budget parameters after review of reduction best practices

The Longview School District Board of Directors voted to adopt the district’s 2025–26 budget development parameters after a work session that reviewed Hanover Research’s “best practices for navigating budget reductions,” a four‑year budget forecast and the district’s recent use of one‑time federal relief funds.

Superintendent Karen Kwaninger and district finance staff presented the Hanover Research findings, noting the report was commissioned by the Washington Association of School Administrators and includes recommendations that may or may not align with the district’s collective bargaining agreements. The administration told the board the district’s current four‑year forecast assumes a planned use of fund balance of $1,600,000 in 2024–25 to preserve current staffing and programs.

“Overall, the position that our district, that Longview School District is in, we are in a much better position than many districts in the state right now,” Superintendent Karen Kwaninger said during the presentation, describing federal ESSER relief funds and careful monitoring as factors that have helped the district navigate recent revenue shifts. Kwaninger and finance staff emphasized the forecast is a status‑quo projection that assumes current staffing levels, enrollment and revenue estimates; they said reductions or additional revenue from the state could alter planning.

Board members discussed the Hanover Research suggestions, including prioritizing funding for programs with demonstrated impact on student outcomes, considering program review timelines and the limits of local authority under collective bargaining and state rules. Several board members asked how the district would identify “less effective” programs and how long to give programs to demonstrate outcomes. Patty (district staff) explained the district uses a budget monitoring process with monthly status updates and layers of purchase‑order approvals to track expenditures and identify contingencies.

The board discussed fund‑balance goals. Members recalled a prior change that raised the recommended minimum total ending fund balance from 6% to 7%; the administration said assigned and restricted portions of fund balance can vary and noted policy still references a 5% unassigned target. Board members said those targets could be revisited if circumstances require.

Administrators said the district will closely monitor state and federal developments during the legislative session and adjust planning as information becomes available. They noted the district’s reliance in recent years on one‑time federal ESSER funds to stabilize operations after enrollment and funding changes tied to the McCleary decision. Finance staff and the superintendent recommended a cautious approach—preparing multiple contingency plans and avoiding premature cuts until legislative outcomes are clearer.

After discussion, a board member moved to adopt the 2025–26 budget development parameters and another board member seconded. The motion passed and the board directed the administration to proceed with budget development under the approved parameters.

Votes at a glance • Approval of regular meeting agenda — motion passed (ayes recorded; no opposition noted). • Approval of consent agenda (including Jan. 27, 2025 minutes and the personnel report) — motion passed (ayes recorded; no opposition noted). • Adoption of 2025–26 budget development parameters — motion passed (board vote recorded as in favor; no opposition noted).