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Warrenton-Hammond outlines 2026–27 budget that would tap reserves amid declining enrollment
Summary
Superintendent Tripp Goodell and business manager Mike Mohawk presented a 2026–27 proposed budget that projects $17.9 million in operating costs, anticipates using roughly $1.08 million from reserves and warns staffing reductions may be required if enrollment falls further.
Superintendent Tripp Goodell and business manager Mike Mohawk presented the Warrenton-Hammond SD 30 proposed 2026–27 budget to the board and budget committee, warning that declining enrollment and flat state funding will force difficult choices.
Goodell said the plan ‘‘reflects our best efforts to meet the needs of students and families while also providing the necessary resources for our teachers and staff,’’ but cautioned that ‘‘nothing is off the table’’ if revenues do not improve. Mohawk provided the committee with the district’s financial assumptions and detailed line items.
Mohawk said the budget was developed on an estimated state funding level of $16,000,846 and described a total operating budget of $17,924,838. He told the board that, under those assumptions, ‘‘the district will require 17,924,838 in revenue to meet service level costs. This will result in the district using 1,078,186 out of the reserve account.’’
The business manager spelled out the primary revenue sources: a projected state school fund payment of $7,175,000, property taxes just under $4,000,000, timber receipts of about $800,000 and county school funds near $1,200,000, and estimated total general fund revenues of $17,327,072.
Board members pressed staff on enrollment trends and program impacts. Mohawk said enrollment has fallen from roughly 1,000 students in 2021 to the mid-800s this year and that the decline has cost the district an estimated $1.7 million in revenue since the earlier peak. He added that about 85% of the budget goes to salaries and benefits and that the district is facing higher PERS employer rates and annual health‑insurance increases.
On staffing, Mohawk said the district is planning for approximately seven full‑time‑equivalent reductions ‘‘across the board’’ if attrition and other measures do not offset the gap. He emphasized the district will pursue attrition, reassignment and other options before layoffs.
The budget presented is a proposal only; the budget committee will review questions ahead of the May recommendation to the board and the board must adopt a balanced budget by state law in June.
