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Gresham-Barlow superintendent says budget shortfall likely, invites community to forums
Summary
Tracy Kleiner, superintendent of Gresham-Barlow SD 10J, said the district faces rising costs, declining enrollment and funding uncertainty for 2026–27 and invited families and staff to limited in-person forums and a virtual forum on Feb. 10; she said an online survey will be shared soon.
Tracy Kleiner, superintendent of Gresham-Barlow SD 10J, told the district community that officials are preparing for difficult budget decisions for the 2026–27 school year and urged residents to participate in upcoming forums.
“En el centro de cada decisión que tomamos en nuestro distrito, hay un objetivo simple, hacerlo mejor para nuestros estudiantes, tanto ahora como en el futuro,” Kleiner said, framing the budget process around student needs and long-term outcomes.
Kleiner said the district is facing three key pressures: rising costs, declining enrollment and uncertainty in state and federal funding. She told listeners the district estimates it will need to reduce its budget "entre 7.5 y 13" for next year; the transcript did not specify whether that figure referred to percent, millions of dollars or another unit.
She warned that reductions “de esta magnitud” would affect all schools and departments and likely require personnel reductions and changes to educational programs. Kleiner said the district will work closely with the school board, the budget committee, staff, families and students throughout the planning process.
To gather community input, Kleiner invited residents to a limited-capacity in-person budget forum and to a virtual forum on Feb. 10. She said Spanish interpreters will be available at both events and that registration is required because space is limited. Information and registration details are available on the district website and via ParentSquare.
Kleiner also said the district will publish an online survey "próximamente" to collect feedback on what families value in students’ educational experiences; results will guide planning.
The district did not announce any formal motions, votes or finalized staffing decisions during the remarks. Next steps are the scheduled forums, the forthcoming survey and continued work with the board and budget committee to develop specific proposals.
