Wenatchee board hears $5.4 million operating reduction target as enrollment falls

The Wenatchee School District board on Jan. 20 received a detailed briefing from Superintendent Corey on the district's operating budget and a $5,400,000 reduction target for the 2026–27 school year.

Corey said the district's operating budget totals about $133,000,000 and is funded roughly 77% by the state, 9.4% by federal dollars and 13.4% locally. She emphasized that the operating budget pays day-to-day staffing and student services, not building construction, and that roughly 82.6% of the general fund supports personnel.

"Our operating budget funds our day to day operations, all of our student support, and our staffing," the superintendent said, calling attention to the human impact of tightening budgets.

The superintendent identified a $5.4 million reduction target for 2026–27 and said about $2.5 million of that is tied to basic education allocation (BEA) adjustments that the district has relied on in prior years. She added that federal funding uncertainty — and possible reductions to programs such as Title I and other federal parts — constitutes a new risk that could deepen reductions if national funding is reduced.

Board discussion and staff explanations drew on enrollment data showing sustained declines: the presentation noted the district has lost about 2,003 students over the past 15 years and projects another 884 fewer students across the next four years. The superintendent said kindergarten capture was 381 in the October count, and that the district is planning for roughly 400 students per grade level in coming years.

To limit future declines and attract new students, district leaders outlined recruitment steps, including a targeted advertising campaign and new billboards (English and Spanish placements), expanded Accelerated Pathways dual-credit offerings at Wenatchee High School, earlier registration windows and an additional CAP classroom at Westside High to add 20–25 students midyear.

The superintendent said the district will pursue staffing shifts — such as moving some district office administrators into buildings, returning some assistant principals to classroom positions, and using natural attrition — as part of planned reductions, while aiming to preserve core services.

Next steps: staff will continue budget committee and leadership work and return with enrollment updates at the Jan. 27 meeting and additional budget detail in coming board budget committee meetings.