Camas School District projects 10–12% budget shortfall for 2025–26; announces phased staff reductions
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Summary
District leaders told the school board Feb. 24 that declining enrollment and inflation have created a projected 10–12% shortfall for the 2025–26 budget. The district announced Phase 2 reductions affecting district administrators and support positions and scheduled public outreach and a town hall on March 6.
At the Feb. 24 Camas School District Board of Directors meeting, district leaders warned that the district faces a 10–12% shortfall in the 2025–26 budget and described a phased plan of staff reductions and other cost‑saving measures to close the gap.
Assistant Superintendent Jayquez, filling in for Superintendent Dr. John Anselone, told the board that “expenses are exceeding revenues and our fund balance is decreasing,” and that the district expects a 10–12% shortfall for next year if the current trends hold. Jayquez said the district has used reserve funds in recent years and must adopt a more sustainable budget path going forward.
The presentation to the board summarized a three‑phase reduction plan the district has shared with stakeholder groups. As part of Phase 2 announced in the last two weeks, the district said it had reduced several administrative and program positions effective at the end of the school year, including reductions to deans in secondary programs, assistant principals at elementary schools (Helen Ballard and Dorothy Fox), a split position with Grass Valley and Odyssey (totaling roughly 3.0 FTE), an early learning coordinator, a social‑emotional liaison (reduced to half time), a half‑time assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, a reduced‑time director of secondary education and a half‑time director of community education tied in part to a retirement.
Jason, the district finance presenter, reviewed month‑to‑month cash flow and the fund‑balance outlook. He said the district projects roughly $4.1 million in ending fund balance under current assumptions, an improvement from an earlier forecast of about $3.7 million but still “not in safe territory.” Jason noted the district typically spends about $10.7 million per month (about $10 million of that for payroll) and said the timing of state apportionment and tax collections matters for covering recurring monthly obligations. “We’ve been burning through [reserves] every single month,” he told the board, adding that staff must centralize disbursement decisions to avoid overdrafts.
Board members and staff emphasized outreach and transparency. The district confirmed a virtual budget town hall is scheduled for March 6, when community members can ask questions and district leadership will be available to respond. Board members also reported continued advocacy work in Olympia: a legislative advocacy committee met recently and board members planned lobbying visits, noting state bills they are tracking, including House Bill 1356 and Senate bills 5263 and 5192 related to special education and MSOC (materials, supplies, operating costs) funding.
District staff said further personnel reductions to certificated staff and employees represented by bargaining groups (CEA, KAAP and coaches) are expected as part of later phases through April. Jayquez and Jason said the district is also examining material and supply savings and has prioritized negotiating and securing contracts with employee groups as part of the budget planning.
The board did not take a formal vote on the budget reductions at the Feb. 24 meeting; rather, staff presented the current projections and the reductions already announced. Board members asked clarifying questions about timing, state “true up” payments and the mechanics of the reduction decisions. The district said it will continue to share updates with the public and stakeholders as the planning process continues.
Why it matters: The reductions and a prolonged drawdown of reserves affect classroom support, district programs and personnel planning for the coming school year. The district’s next steps include finalizing negotiations with employee groups, completing further staffing decisions, and monitoring state revenue true‑ups that could change the fiscal outlook.
What’s next: The district will hold the virtual budget town hall on March 6 and continue to update the board and community as the April reduction announcements and contract negotiations proceed.
