St. Helens School District proposes $71 million budget, outlines staff cuts and 12 furlough days to close $6.2 million gap

St. Helens School District Superintendent Karen Ray presented a proposed $71,000,000 budget for fiscal year 2025–26 at the district budget committee meeting on May 7, saying the plan aims to align staffing and spending with reduced revenue.

"This is a difficult budget message due to the fact that the school district is severely underfunded to support its current staffing levels," Ray said. "Tonight, we present the proposed budget for the Saint Helens School District for the 20 25, 26 fiscal year."

The proposal lists a $40,000,000 general fund (a 7% decrease from 2024–25) and an $11,000,000 special revenue grants fund (a 2% decrease). General fund operating revenues are budgeted at $40,490,302. The district projects average daily membership resident (ADMr) of about 2,700 students for 2025–26, a decline of 35 from the current projection, and cited cumulative fluctuations since 2020.

Why it matters: Ray told the committee the district faces a budget shortfall of about $6,200,000 between expected revenue and current service-level expenditures. The proposal includes reductions intended to balance payroll-driven costs and preserve core instructional programs.

Key reductions and savings outlined in the proposal include: - Reduction in force of…