Woodburn budget committee approves 2025-26 budget, permanent tax rate and bond levy

The Woodburn School District budget committee voted to approve the district's 2025-26 budget as presented and adopted two tax-rate actions during its meeting on May 6.

During the meeting Chair (speaker 1) opened the vote after committee discussion and Committee member (speaker 7) moved to approve the budget “as presented.” The motion was seconded and the committee approved the budget unanimously as recorded by the chair.

The committee then voted to adopt the district's permanent tax rate of 4.5247 per $1,000 of assessed value, subject to the state education funding limitation. Staff explained the rate applies to all taxable lots within the school district's boundaries and is renewed each year as part of the budget process. The motion carried after a second and a voice vote.

Finally, the committee approved a tax levy to raise $6,436,185 for general-obligation bond debt service, an item excluded from the education limitation. That motion likewise passed on a second and voice vote.

Why it matters: the budget approval and tax-rate decisions set the district's spending and revenue levels for the coming school year and establish how local property tax revenue will be collected to support general operations and bond debt service.

What was discussed: before the votes members questioned administration about ongoing salary negotiations with licensed and classified associations and the budget's built-in assumptions for negotiated increases. Director Bishop (speaker 5) and staff (speaker 2) told the committee negotiations were still in progress and that the budget includes a contingency line item and amounts for potential increases. Staff said the district would either use the contingency or return to the board to request a formal budget adjustment if settlements exceed the budgeted assumptions.

On state funding, staff confirmed the district is budgeting at the 11.4 figure that state agencies have indicated for the biennium. On reserves, staff explained board policy requires keeping a specified fund balance; the operating contingency ($250,000) and transfer functions were identified as primary sources the district would consider before accessing the reserve that policy requires remain intact.

Direct quotes: Director Bishop said, “We are currently negotiating with, both, licensed and classified associations” when asked about bargaining status; staff later clarified that amounts for potential negotiated increases are already built into the budget and that contingency would be accessed or a formal request for adjustment would be brought to the board if needed.

Next steps: With the motions carried the district will implement the adopted budget and tax rates for fiscal year 2025-26. Board members and staff emphasized ongoing oversight and the potential for a return to the board if bargaining results require a budget adjustment.