Evergreen superintendent unveils $14 million initial budget-reduction plan, warns of staff cuts
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Maloney presented an initial $14,000,000 budget-reduction plan for 2026–27 citing declining enrollment, state funding shortfalls and inflation; she said reductions will include staff positions and that the board will vote on a reduced‑educational‑program resolution March 24.
Superintendent Dr. Maloney told the Evergreen School District board on Feb. 24 that the district will begin a three‑year process to restore fiscal stability by implementing an initial $14,000,000 reduction for the 2026–27 school year. She said the district’s financial pressure stems from three primary factors: declining enrollment, shortfalls in state funding and rising costs from inflation.
"This is our first step in our 3 year process to become financially sound for our students and our community," Dr. Maloney said, and she warned that "the proposed reductions this evening must include staff position cuts." She said the initial reduction plan will be posted on the district budget webpage after the board workshop.
The superintendent said approximately 85% of state revenue is allocated on a per‑student basis, and noted that prior reductions mean remaining choices are harder. She described outreach the district conducted in recent months, including budget input meetings with staff and students, a community budget email address and review by the district Community Budget Committee.
Dr. Maloney told the board that at its March 24 meeting it will vote on a reduced‑educational‑program resolution that allows the district to align reductions with its three‑year plan. Staff, students, parents and community members were invited to submit questions at budgetquestions@evergreenps.org, and the district said materials will be sent to staff and the broader community.
Procedural business at the meeting reflected the board’s routine actions: the agenda and both the consent agenda and the superintendent’s consent agenda were approved by voice vote.
The board recessed into a workshop immediately after the regular meeting to receive a presentation on recommended budget reductions and to continue the discussion. The workshop was scheduled to follow the regular meeting and conclude before adjournment.
Next steps: the board will review materials posted to the district budget webpage, discuss the workshop presentation, and consider the reduced‑educational‑program resolution on March 24.