Bend‑LaPine board adopts $580.7 million budget, approves tax levy and bond authorization

The Bend‑LaPine Administrative School District 1 Board of Directors on June 16 adopted the district’s 2026–27 budget in the amount of $580,664,622 and voted to impose the taxes provided for in that budget.

Director Amy Tatum moved to adopt Resolution 20‑21, which the board approved following a presentation from Chief Financial Officer Dan Emerson. Emerson told the board the district projects total general fund revenues of $255,200,000 for fiscal year 2025–26 (actuals through June 9), and a projected ending fund balance of $19,500,000 — a decline of about $9,000,000 from the beginning balance. He said the decrease results from expenditures outpacing revenues this year and noted the district plans $7,100,000 in cuts in the proposed FY26‑27 budget to help stabilize finances.

Emerson said state school fund revenue was projected to be about $1,000,000 less than anticipated because of a May reconciliation payment, offset by roughly $1,000,000 in additional investment earnings. He projected total personnel expenditures near $191,000,000, approximately $4,000,000 under the revised budget due to unfilled positions, and flagged escalating operating transfers related to the curriculum fund.

After discussion, the board voted to adopt the budget. Chair Marcus LeGrand announced, "the ayes have it." The motion was moved by Director Amy Tatum and seconded by Director Ross Tomlin.

The board also approved Resolution 20‑22 to impose taxes as read into the record. The resolution as read included a line stating a permanent tax rate figure in the meeting transcript as "$4 and $76.41 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value" and authorized bonds in the amount of $48,357,008 for the 2026‑27 tax year. The board approved the resolution by voice vote with the chair announcing the motion passed.

Why it matters: CFO Emerson said the district’s long‑term forecast anticipates continued pressure on fund balance absent material changes to state funding, bargaining outcomes or a local option levy. Emerson and Superintendent Steven Cook told the board they will continue monitoring cash and long‑term forecasts and are working with legislative advocacy and internal adjustments to avoid a single year of deep cuts.

What's next: Staff will implement the adopted budget and the district will continue financial monitoring; board members said they plan ongoing advocacy on state funding formulas and special‑education underfunding cited as a major contributor to fiscal pressure.