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Superintendent: declining enrollment and special education costs squeeze La Grande SD 1 budget
Summary
Superintendent George Mendoza told the budget committee that continuing enrollment declines are reducing funds and that special education costs affect nearly 20% of students while the state funds only 11%, creating a shortfall that the district must cover with General Fund dollars.
Superintendent George Mendoza told the Budget Committee on June 4 that La Grande SD 1 is facing a funding pinch driven by falling enrollment and a disproportionate share of students needing special education. Mendoza stated the district's special education population is "close to 20%" while "the State covers 11%," which requires the district to use General Fund dollars to make up the difference.
Mendoza presented this as the central budget pressure informing the proposed 2025-26 budget and urged committee members to review the superintendent's budget message in the meeting materials. The remarks framed why administrators are seeking detail on budget lines and why the committee scheduled follow-up questions and a reconvened meeting for June 11, 2025.
