McMinnville schools report nearly $3 million shortfall for 2025–26; district outlines staffing reductions

McMinnville — District leaders told the McMinnville School District Board of Directors on April 14 that the district faces an approximate $3 million general fund deficit for the 2025–26 school year and outlined where reductions will come as the budget committee process begins.

Director Frost read the superintendent’s report noting the shortfall and said the district would seek to protect classroom experiences where possible. Director of Finance Jason Hall told the board the leadership team developed a plan that includes reductions at multiple levels: roughly $1,650,000 at the district level, $320,000 at the elementary level, $330,000 at the middle school level, and $632,000 at the high school level. The board was told the bulk of the district budget — about 85% of general fund spending — is staffing.

Hall also reported enrollment projections as of April 1: a projected enrollment under projection by 2.9 percent, with a headcount of about 6,182 students. He noted March withdrawals totaled 33 students, with 36% categorized as not enrolled/status unknown or moved out of state; the district’s overall net change for the month was a gain of two students. Hall said the state’s reconciliations, expected in May and June, typically produce a positive adjustment and he is factoring that into the budget planning.

Board members asked that answers to staff and contract questions be shared with the full board rather than via piecemeal email exchanges. Director Hall said he would provide details in advance of the budget committee process and that the district recently received a certificate of excellence for its 2023–24 audit from the Association of School Business Officials.

Board members and trustees also discussed the district’s minimum reserve budget practice. Hall said the district budgets an 8% ending fund balance as a minimum reserve line; that reserve is calculated each year as a percentage of projected revenues and will appear in next year’s budget numbers.

Multiple board members requested clearer line-item information and contract breakouts for recurring vendor agreements (named examples during discussion included ThoughtExchange, Raptor Technologies and First Student) for inclusion in budget deliberations. Director Hall said he would prepare contract detail as requested.

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