Brookings-Harbor SD 17C board approves ODE integrated guidance plan; trustees flag an estimated $1 million budget shortfall

The Brookings-Harbor SD 17C board unanimously approved the district's integrated guidance plan and discussed steps to manage a projected budget shortfall.

Janice moved to approve the integrated guidance plan and the chair seconded; the motion passed on roll call. Helena, who delivered the district report, said the district has "two summer school programs going for sure" including credit recovery and a kindergarten academy funded with Title I, and confirmed ESY services will be offered.

Helena said the integrated guidance plan and a budget are being prepared for submission to the Oregon Department of Education and that the ODE budget calculation uses 2023-24 enrollment figures. "They're basing the number on our enrollment from 2324, which is larger than our enrollment is for 2425," she said, adding the budget number "is gonna be adjusted down." She described an intent to protect staff by prioritizing cuts to non-staff items (cameras, fencing) if reductions are required.

Board members were told the district needs to remove approximately "$1,000,000" from next year's budget; Helena said a fuller budget picture and a budget resolution will be presented at the May 21 board meeting. She reported current enrollment around "12:28"/"12:31" in the transcript (interpreted as roughly 1,228 to 1,231 students), lower than the figure used for ODE calculations.

The board also scheduled the first budget committee meeting for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in Room 51 at Kalmiopsis, and noted a second budget meeting May 27 if needed.

Next steps: district staff will prepare the budget resolution for the May 21 meeting and submit the integrated guidance plan to ODE as required.