Newberg SD 29J asks voters to approve $6.1 million local levy to avert cuts

Newberg SD 29J announced Measure 36-239, a five-year local option levy on the May 19 ballot that would raise about $6.1 million annually to avert staff reductions and program cuts, an agency official for the district said.

The official said the district anticipates a budget shortfall of $5,700,000 for the next school year and has already eliminated 76.75 administrative and teaching positions over the past two years. "Our 2024-25 graduation rate was 92.6 percent, and our ninth grade on track to graduate rate increased by 17 points," the official said, saying strong student outcomes are at risk if funding is not secured.

The levy, if approved, would be restricted to district use for five years with citizen oversight and regular public reporting, the official said. The district listed four stated purposes: fund staff positions and limit class sizes; preserve neighborhood schools and prevent possible closures; keep music, arts, physical education and vocational programs; and provide accountability through audits and citizen oversight.

District officials presented specific staffing impacts: elimination of more than 37 positions in 2026-27 (including classroom teachers, specialists and support staff) and reductions that the official said affect all 11 district schools. The official warned those cuts could mean larger class sizes, blended classrooms, reductions in music, art, PE and vocational learning, and potential school closures.

The proposed measure would raise the funds at a rate estimated not to exceed $1.20 per $1,000 of taxable assessed value within the district. The official gave a homeowner example: a property with a median assessed value of $330,000 would pay about $33 a month, or $396 per year.

On oversight, the official said local option levy funding and all district finances would be subject to annual audits and review by the school board and the citizen budget committee. "100% of revenue generated by the proposed levy would be used to support Newberg Dundee School District students," the official said.

The official framed the measure as the district's approach to maintain staff, class sizes and neighborhood schools; the official also said that if the measure does not pass the announced staff and program reductions would occur and property taxes would not be increased.

For more information the speaker directed listeners to newbergschoolslevy.org and urged voters to remember to vote by May 19.

The district did not provide names or titles for the person delivering the announcement in the transcript.