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Registrar warns district lost over $1 million as students left for online schools; board approves budget-shortfall resolution
Summary
High school registrar Ashley Pruitt told the board Brookings-Harbor lost a net of students this year to online schools—she estimated more than $1 million in revenue left the district—and recommended investing in a stronger in-district online program. The board then approved Resolution 2025-002 declaring a $1.2 million shortfall and outlining staff reductions and reserve tapering.
Ashley Pruitt, the high school registrar, told the board she is “concerned for our students and faculty” after the district experienced a steep enrollment shift to out-of-district virtual schools. She said the high school had 53 new students and 118 students left this year and that 56 students enrolled in Baker Webb Academy; she estimated the departures represented “over half $1,000,000 that walked out of our district.”
Pruitt urged that the district invest in its own online program, noting Baker Webb’s model employs one adviser per 25 students who conducts biweekly check-ins and that stronger advisory support and dedicated online-course development could reduce loss to competitors. She recommended dedicated staffing for online advisement and increased investment in Canvas and coursework development.
Administration then presented Resolution 2025-002, which the board read aloud. The resolution states the district faces an estimated $1.2 million budget shortfall in the first half of the biennium (with a possible $1.7 million shortfall in the second half). To address the gap, the proposed 2025–26 budget includes reductions of approximately 11 licensed teaching/administrative positions and 4.75 classified positions achieved primarily through attrition and, where necessary, reductions in force. The resolution also calls for tapering the fund balance from the current level toward a 7.5% reserve target and takes effect immediately.
Board members discussed forming a committee to focus on student-enrollment strategies, acknowledged that investing to retain or attract students would itself require resources, and noted the union process for reductions in force. After discussion, the board moved, seconded and voted to approve Resolution 2025-002.
The board directed administrators to proceed with the steps outlined in the resolution and to return with any additional specifics and timing required by collective-bargaining rules. No individual layoff notices were read at the meeting; administrators said most reductions are expected through retirement and attrition, with a small number due to reductions in force if necessary.
