Kent School District board gets stark budget forecast; staff recommends phased $7.5M cuts starting 2026–27

Kent School District trustees spent the bulk of a special meeting reviewing a May financial report that shows the district operating at a larger deficit than anticipated and facing a multi‑year shortfall that staff recommend address through phased, permanent reductions.

"The estimated deficit is about $12,300,000 dollars as opposed to what we anticipated to be $9,700,000," said Mr. Perringo, the district finance staff member who presented the report, describing the year‑to‑date position through May 31. He told the board the district had set a forecast that assumes implementation of roughly $7,500,000 in permanent budget balancing actions beginning in 2026–27, with similar steps in subsequent years to protect a minimum 5% unassigned ending fund balance.

Why it matters: the board and staff said the district relies heavily on local levies and that roughly 80% of the budget is people costs set by contracts…