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Mercer Island School District warns of $3 million shortfall for 2025–26; officials press state action and local measures
Summary
Superintendent said the district projects a roughly $3 million deficit for 2025–26 without new revenue. Officials described causes — levy caps, special education underfunding, rising insurance and transportation costs — and outlined possible responses including staffing reductions, fee increases and legislative advocacy.
The Mercer Island School District projected a roughly $3,000,000 budget shortfall for the 2025–26 school year if no new revenue is secured, district leaders said during a public budget webinar.
Superintendent (unnamed) said the district is "out of tricks" after using multiple one-time measures and reserves. He said the shortfall would affect the district after the current school year and called for collective action, including legislative changes at the state level and local measures.
District officials said enrollment this year is better than projected: the headcount was about 3,900 students, slightly above a projection of 3,815 and above last year's 3,881. Officials emphasized that state funding is tied to student full-time equivalent (FTE) rather than headcount.
The superintendent described the district's financial picture and the major drivers of the shortfall. Personnel costs account for nearly 83% of general-fund…
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