Vancouver Public Schools outlines more than $20 million planning gap, county treasurer signals emergency support

The Vancouver Public Schools superintendent reported to the board that the district faces a planning shortfall of just over $20 million for the 2026–27 fiscal year, driven by a recurring operational deficit, falling enrollment, rising salary and non-salary costs, and growing unfunded special-education expenses.

At the meeting the superintendent said preliminary estimates show roughly $7,000,000 of recurring reductions would be required to balance the budget if no other changes occur. He added the district expects about $2,500,000 in additional pressure from continued enrollment declines, an unfunded salary/IPD gap near $5,850,000 (forecast “just under $5,900,000”), approximately $1,000,000 from MSOC (material, supplies and operating costs) inflation, and a projected $1,500,000 increase in special-education costs. He said those figures, together with other line items, leave the district planning for “just over…