District says $9.5 million in cuts will reshape programs; Chinese dual-language program preserved

The West Linn-Wilsonville SD 3J superintendent told the board the district’s initial estimate of roughly $10,000,000 in reductions for 2026–27 was reduced to about $9.5 million after preserving the Chinese dual-language program. The superintendent described actions including school consolidation, suspension of preschool and shifting eligible costs to bond funds.

Doctor Ludwig said the staffing component tied to declining enrollment included reductions of about 6 FTE at the high school level, roughly 2 FTE at middle school and 6 FTE at primary school; the district also plans to reduce seven full‑time classified positions and has already reduced one district office administrator and preschool staff. “But that composite of high school and primary school and the preschool staff is only 3,700,000 of the 9.5,” Doctor Ludwig said, describing how staffing reductions fit within the larger package.

Board members noted the combination of unfunded mandates, inflation and liability and insurance costs as drivers that forced difficult choices. One board member said the scale of the cuts is “very real” and urged clarity for community members about the difference between net RIF numbers and total staffing impacts.