Douglas County SD 4 board approves $133.94 million 2025–26 budget and hears grant, maintenance updates

The Douglas County SD 4 Board of Education on an affirmative vote approved the district’s proposed 2025–26 budget, $133,941,774.10, and a permanent property tax rate set to balance the general fund.

At a regularly scheduled meeting, district staff presented a special funds review that outlined how a range of state and federal grants are being used in the district, and staff discussed major maintenance priorities, seismic grant activity and summer-school sites and funding.

The board approved the budget after a motion to adopt the proposed 2025–26 budget and to set the permanent property tax rate was moved and seconded. The chair called for the question and the motion passed. The board also voted earlier in the meeting to approve the previous meeting’s minutes.

Michelle Meade, district staff (presenter), summarized the uses of state Student Investment Account (SIA) funds, saying the Student Success Act (SIA) “can be used for two purposes, meeting students’ mental and behavioral health needs and also increasing academic achievement and reducing academic disparities.” Meade described SIA investments the district is funding next year, including social-emotional-learning coordination, seven school psychologists districtwide (of which two positions are funded through the grant), 11 skills trainers to support behavior, elementary STEAM teachers, TOSAs (teachers on special assignment), additional special-education teachers and instructional assistants, before- and after-school programs, and offsets to student fees.

Meade also provided preliminary estimates for other state programs. The district’s preliminary early-literacy allocation is reported as “a little over $400,000.” She said the district’s estimate for the High School Success (Measure 98) funding was $1,400,000; staff received an email indicating the governor’s recommended budget initially suggested that amount was $77,000 higher, and the district adjusted its budget downward by $77,000 in response to that uncertainty.

On federal funding, a district administrator noted that recent congressional action related to the federal debt limit has, for now, preserved funding channels for IDEA, Title I and Title IV, while Title II and Title III allocations remain uncertain. The administrator said the recommendation from contacts at state and federal levels is to plan using the current year’s allocations until official guidance is released.

Board members asked for and received updates on graduation-rate trends and summer-school participation. Jill, district staff, said the Roseburg High School four-year graduation rate was just over 89% last year and that district rates have ranged roughly between 80% and the high 80s in recent years, with a dip during the COVID years. Board members pressed on equity and access issues; staff described efforts to offset activity fees and supply costs, provide Chromebooks and address Wi‑Fi access to reduce barriers tied to family income.

Facilities and maintenance staff described the district’s major maintenance (400-series) fund strategy and seismic grant activity. Seismic enhancement grants are generally limited to roughly $2.5 million per award, staff said; the district has used major-maintenance funds to complement seismic enhancements, including roof work and covered-walkway repairs that are not always covered by seismic funds. Completed projects noted by staff include seismic enhancements at Eastwood and Winchester elementaries and other facility improvements; Sunnyslope Elementary is awaiting word on a pending seismic application. Staff reported the district needs to set aside about $1,700,000 in the major maintenance fund to address the VOTEC West roof and related work at Roseburg High School.

Staff also confirmed plans for summer learning in July. Locations will include Hughcrest (which has air conditioning), Sunnyslope and Winchester (which do not) and Roseburg High School (most Building 2 areas do not have air conditioning). District staff said summer programming has expanded in recent years through state and grant funding and emphasized the programs’ roles in credit recovery and literacy support.

The motion approving the 2025–26 budget was moved and seconded; the chair called the question and the motion passed. The meeting concluded after the board approved the minutes and adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve previous meeting minutes. Outcome: approved. (Transcript: motion made, seconded and approved; verbal “aye” responses recorded.) - Motion: Approve the 2025–26 proposed budget in the amount of $133,941,774.10 and approve the permanent property tax rate necessary to balance the 2025–26 general fund budget. Outcome: approved. (Transcript: motion moved and seconded; chair called for the question and the motion passed.)