Superintendent: Q2 report shows balanced budget and $99 million projected ending fund balance, but state and federal uncertainty remains

Superintendent Castaneda told the Salem-Keizer School District board the district remains on track to a balanced budget after the cuts made last year and that the quarter 2 forecast shows an anticipated ending fund balance of about $99 million.

"We are actually spending the amount of money that we're getting," Superintendent Castaneda said, summarizing Q1 and Q2 revenue and expense lines. She described the district's difference between "budgeted expenses" and "forecast expense," and explained that vacancy savings from unfilled positions contribute to the district's fiscal picture.

Castaneda gave several numbers and risks: the district employs roughly 5,800 people and expects vacancy savings from unfilled positions; the governor's recommended budget could translate into roughly $80 million in new revenue for the district if enacted as proposed; the district also anticipates a 4% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for next year and is preparing to start licensed-bargaining talks in late February or March, which could materially affect next year's expenses.

"We will not know for the next budget year how much our expenses are until we complete that bargain," she said. Castaneda also warned of federal funding uncertainty, noting the district expects an initial federal estimate around April and a potential final in July, both of which could change depending on appropriations.

Castaneda framed the district's healthy ending fund balance as a protective buffer in the face of state and federal uncertainty. Board discussion emphasized that the long legislative session and near-term bargaining will shape final budget decisions, and the superintendent reiterated that quarterly updates will continue as the district builds next year's budget.

Speakers

- Superintendent Castaneda, Salem-Keizer School District

Authorities

No statutes or ordinances were cited in the presentation. Numbers and forecasts were presented by the superintendent and district staff.

Actions

No formal action was taken; the Q2 presentation provided information for future budget decisions.

Clarifying details

- Projected ending fund balance: approximately $99,000,000 (district forecast). - Workforce: about 5,800 employees; vacancy savings affect expense forecasts. - Forecast drivers: modestly higher interest revenue and lower expenses contributed to the Q2 improvement; specific line-item amounts not fully enumerated in the presentation. - Pending factors: state long-session budget outcomes, licensed-bargaining results, and federal funding appropriations.

Community relevance

- Geographies: districtwide - Impact groups: all students and employees via budgeting and staffing decisions

Provenance

- topicintro: block_id: "block_1774.255", local_start: 0, local_end: 480, evidence_excerpt: "Well, we'll also close out just this first celebration of Black History Month... what we're gonna be talking about tonight is actually providing you a quarter 2 financial overview.", tc_start: "00:29:34", reason_code: "topicintro" - topfinish: block_id: "block_2403.235", local_start: 0, local_end: 120, evidence_excerpt: "I believe that is it for my superintendent's comments.", tc_start: "00:40:03", reason_code: "topicfinish"

Topics

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