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Board debates WESB cuts and timing of operating-levy referendum as deficit looms
Summary
Board members reviewed a projected $3 million deficit, discussed a possible 10% reduction scenario at Westby, and debated whether to place a local operating levy referendum on the fall ballot, with one member urging a May 5 decision to allow staff time to prepare.
Board members spent substantial time on the district’s financial position and options for balancing the budget, including targeted reductions and the possibility of a local operating levy referendum.
Finance staff reported a projected general-fund deficit of about $3,000,000. “When we ended the year last year, we’ll be at about 14,000,000,” the finance lead said when describing undesignated reserves; staff also said the audit report will be provided on Monday.
Members debated cuts that would affect Westby: one board member asked for modeling of a 10% reduction and emphasized it should be the departments’ responsibility to translate a board directive into specific plans. “I’m just proposing a 10% cut at Westby,” the board member said; colleagues replied that cuts to grant-funded positions would not reduce general-fund costs and that the board should focus on general-fund impacts.
Several board members urged legislative advocacy but expressed frustration about limited appetite in the current session for additional school funding. One board member criticized a local legislator’s decision not to advance bills the district supported; another urged continued outreach to committee chairs and tax committee members.
Discussion turned to an operating levy referendum. A long-serving board member urged a May 5 decision so staff can form a campaign and warned that even if a referendum passes it could take two fiscal years before revenues are realized. “It’s gonna get worse before it gets better,” the board member said, urging preparedness and narrow focus in any levy question on reading, math and high‑school career experiences.
What’s next: staff were asked to further model levy scenarios and to prepare detailed cost/impact figures for the May retreat so the board can decide whether to place a referendum on the ballot.
