Budget committee approves 2025–26 budget after line‑item corrections, raises contingency to $5.68 million

The Klamath County School District budget committee approved the 2025–26 budget as amended at its May 14 meeting, after staff reported corrections to several line items and an increase to the district contingency reserve.

Staff member reported the corrections, saying, “So that changed the contingency amount to $5,677,122.78,” and walked the committee through adjustments to Fund 100 and several account codes, including additions to the 121 account for elementary and high school items and a $10,000 entry for taxable meals.

The vote came after a review of numerical corrections that staff said were the result of an earlier data-entry discrepancy. The motion to approve the 2025–26 budget with the spread modifications was moved by the Chair and seconded; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

Why it matters: the committee’s actions finalize spending priorities and reserve levels that set the district’s starting fund balance for the coming year, affecting staffing, facility investments and contingency spending authority going into the fiscal year.

Discussion at the meeting ranged beyond line items. Committee members pressed staff about facility needs at Gilchrist, where the district has deferred maintenance including heating and electrical work. A committee member noted past plans to remodel the building under a bond that did not pass; staff said the district has been using targeted measures — adding substitute capacity, supporting CTE and culinary programs and prioritizing immediate repairs — while pursuing longer-term solutions.

On facilities, committee members discussed water damage at Lost River Gym. Staff said the insurance company has accepted responsibility, the district set aside the $10,000 deductible and the insurance recovery will be recorded as revenue while repair expenditures are recorded on the expenditure side. A committee member referenced a previously recorded damage figure of about $166,000; staff confirmed the recovery will appear on the revenue line and repairs on expenditures.

The meeting also covered personnel and enrollment pressures. Presenter described the salary schedule as step-based, with raises tied to experience and credentials, and said the district is using attrition and reassignments to avoid layoffs after recent enrollment declines. “We eliminated six and a half positions…we're not replacing him. We're shifting duties,” the Presenter said, describing efforts to protect staff from unemployment while balancing program needs.

State funding and accountability were part of the exchange. The Presenter cited a proposed increase in state funding, saying the governor’s proposal was roughly $11.4 billion for the biennium. The Chair warned about state accountability metrics and consequences: “If you don't meet the metrics…in four years the state can come in and say, we're gonna spend 20% of your budget,” the Chair said, citing the district’s concern about meeting targets such as third-grade reading and graduation-rate thresholds discussed in the meeting.

Staff also outlined summer-school planning and grant changes: the Jump Start kindergarten program is no longer funded, and summer-school advertising and staffing are being arranged while the district assesses capacity. Staff said it will use the district website and a parent-registration portal for enrollments once staffing and bus capacity are determined.

The committee also reviewed procurement and contract supports for facilities work; staff said ZCS is assisting with bid processes. After addressing questions, the Chair called for the vote to approve the budget as amended; members voted in favor and the committee then approved property-tax figures that staff said come through the county and offset state allocations.

The committee adjourned at 5:53 p.m.