Board approves 2025 budget calendar, swears in two budget committee members; superintendent warns of $4M PERS cost pressure

The Roseburg Public Schools Board of Education approved a proposed 2025 budget calendar and took several administrative actions during its Jan. 8, 2025 meeting at Eastwood Elementary. The board also swore in two budget committee members and received a superintendent report that highlighted a significant anticipated increase in PERS costs.

The board approved a draft 2025 budget calendar that sets the first budget committee meeting for April 16, 2025, with additional meetings on May 7 and May 8–21 if needed, and schedules the budget hearing and adoption for June 11, 2025. The calendar was approved by voice vote; board members then approved the consent agenda unanimously.

The board formally swore in new and returning budget committee members Tom Nelson and Mike Scofield. Each repeated the oath of office administered by the county clerk (the transcript records the sworn statements and the clerk’s declaration that each appointee was duly sworn and eligible to serve). The board thanked the new appointees for volunteering to serve on the budget committee.

In his superintendent’s report, Superintendent Cordon outlined budget pressures affecting the district. He said a recent PERS investment shortfall and payroll increases mean the district expects an approximate $4,000,000 increase in PERS costs for the coming year. Cordon said the district has some set-aside balances but will likely need to make program and staffing adjustments for the 2025–26 budget. He noted the district is preparing staff and community communications and will use the approved budget calendar to guide public meetings and decisions.

The superintendent also reported operational items: the district has added two full-time Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies to work in schools, and the district hosted a legislative showcase where state legislators and industry partners visited career and technical education (CTE) programs. Two state representatives were cited as saying Roseburg’s CTE model could serve as a state example, and the superintendent encouraged student and community engagement with legislative committees.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved (unanimous) — items not individually detailed at public meeting. - 2025 budget calendar: approved (voice vote; motion carried). - Swearings: Tom Nelson and Mike Scofield sworn in as budget committee members (ceremonial oath administered; record updated).

Clarifying details from the meeting record: the district reiterated the timeline for filing form ED‑50 with the Douglas County assessor by July 15, 2025, in accordance with Oregon budget law. The superintendent estimated the PERS cost impact at about $4,000,000 and said the district will consider a mix of spending reductions and use of ending fund balance as part of the 2025–26 budget process.

What the board said: board members thanked Eastwood Elementary for hosting and praised school programs. Several directors described pride in students’ academic and extracurricular achievements. The board approved the budget calendar to meet statutory timelines and to prepare for public budget deliberations.

Next steps: staff will schedule the district’s budget committee meetings per the calendar, prepare detailed budget materials, and bring recommendations for any adjustments prompted by PERS and other state funding developments.

Evidence in the meeting transcript includes the calendar presentation and motion, the full oath and clerk’s declaration for the budget committee appointees, and the superintendent’s remarks about PERS and the district’s financial planning.