Douglas County SD 4 superintendent warns of possible state cuts, outlines survey and college partnerships
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Summary
Superintendent Jared Cordon told the Douglas County SD 4 board to prepare for a possible 2.5–5% state funding reduction, urged contingency planning, described an optional home‑administered student health survey for grades 6, 8 and 11, and highlighted growing college‑district partnerships for career pathways.
Superintendent Jared Cordon told the Douglas County School District 4 board on Monday that the district must prepare for a possible 2.5%–5% reduction in state funding and for the complications that would follow if cuts arrive midyear.
"I anticipate that we're probably gonna have to make some reductions at some point during the biennium," Cordon said, urging the board to track two key November dates: an Oregon Department of Education proposal list on Nov. 18 and the state's economic revenue forecast on Nov. 19.
Why it matters: A midyear reduction would force the district to make time‑sensitive decisions that are harder to manage than routine budget adjustments. Cordon said the district is watching the situation closely and will press legislators to consider existing reserve options.
Cordon flagged two statewide reserves lawmakers could use: an education stability fund he estimated at about $1.2–$1.3 billion and a rainy‑day fund "a little over $2,000,000,000." He said use of either would influence whether districts face deep midyear reductions.
The superintendent also explained changes to the student health survey, a state‑developed instrument offered to sixth, eighth and eleventh graders. The district will again offer the survey as a home‑administered, optional activity for parents and guardians rather than administering it at school.
"It is optional," Cordon said. "Last year we had 1,275 students in grades 6, 8 and 11. I believe we had 35 parents who decided to take the survey, and so it was about a little under 3%." He emphasized the district receives only summary data and not student‑level records.
On workforce and postsecondary pathways, Cordon described an expanding partnership with the local college to build career pathways in high‑wage, high‑demand fields. He noted Mercy hospital recently hired a majority of new nursing graduates from the local program, arguing that local training can create job opportunities with low debt for graduates.
The board did not take policy action on the budget; Cordon recommended continued contingency planning and advocacy to state legislators and ODE as the revenue forecast evolves.
What’s next: The superintendent and staff will continue budget monitoring and report back to the board after the state revenue forecast and any ODE recommendations are released.