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Coquille superintendent warns of $1.8 million shortfall, lists facility and audit issues
Summary
Superintendent Gallagher told the board the district faces declining enrollment and estimated cuts of about $1.8 million for next year; he also reported a large high‑school water leak, audit findings, and other roll‑up costs that administrators are tracking.
Superintendent Gallagher told the Coquille SD 8 board the district’s enrollment decline and several new costs are producing a troubling budget picture for the coming school year.
"We are estimating today based on these numbers that we are $1,800,000 needs to be cut out of our budget for next school year," Gallagher said, laying out enrollment and budget assumptions the administration will use to prepare reduction proposals. He said the district had submitted projection numbers to the state based on 1,130 students, down from the budgeted 1,200.
Gallagher and fiscal director Denise Hill told the board about several specific cost items that contribute to the district’s "roll‑up" estimate: an estimated $1,025,000 in roll‑up costs, rising PERS employer rates (the superintendent cited roughly 33% total), and required interim assessment purchases driven by a recent State Board of Education choice of approved tests under Senate Bill 141. Gallagher said the district expects to present a draft plan for reductions at the February board meeting.
The superintendent also described a sizable leak at the high school that produced erosion damage to an exterior stairway, required sump‑pump replacements and a very large water bill. So far, Gallagher said bids to repair the stairs are about $33,000, sump‑pump replacement about $7,300, and negotiations with the city reduced a disputed water charge to about $23,000. He said the district is still determining how much its insurer will cover.
Denise Hill reported the district’s audit was completed on time and submitted to the state; the auditors had one finding related to Oregon budget law, and printed copies of the full audit were expected to be distributed to the board later in the week.
Why it matters: A projected $1.8 million gap in next year’s budget would require program or staffing reductions or other adjustments that affect classroom services and operations. The board directed administrators to craft a plan they will present at the February meeting.
The board did not take immediate action beyond directing staff to continue planning.
