Longview board adopts 2026–27 budget parameters, approves two revised policies

The Longview School District board on Feb. 9 voted to adopt preliminary budget parameters for fiscal year 2026–27 and approved revisions to two district policies.

Budget parameters: Patty Bowen, executive director, presented the district’s draft budget development parameters and said she adjusted Item 2 based on prior board comments and aligned the numbering to WASDA’s recommended sequence. Bowen described the parameters as high-level guiding principles for budget development. A board member moved to adopt the 2026–27 budget parameters and the motion passed by voice vote.

Policy 43.10: The board considered a second reading of revisions to policy 43.10 (presented as WASDA model language clarifying district responsibilities). Board members said no public comments were received after the first reading and a motion to approve the revisions passed by voice vote.

Policy 50.11: Staff said revisions to policy 50.11 (harassment of district staff) were made to align definitions with state statutory changes. Although the agenda listed this as a first reading, staff and board members clarified it was a second reading; a board member moved and the board adopted the policy by voice vote.

What the votes mean: District staff described the budget parameters as a planning framework rather than a final appropriation. Bowen noted the parameters are numbered for reference and are not presented in priority order; she also described a minimum fund-balance goal that reflects the district’s existing policy aligned with WASDA recommendations.

Board process: Several board members praised the clarity the parameters provide for the superintendent and budget staff. No detailed roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript; the board adopted the measures by voice votes during the meeting.

Next steps: Staff will move from parameters to line-item budget development as the district follows the budget calendar presented earlier in the meeting.