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Vernonia SD 47J reports $200,000 projected shortfall; staff attrition used to shield programs
Summary
Superintendent Jim Helmen told the Budget Committee the district faced a $200,000 shortfall in preparing the 2025-26 budget and that administrators relied on staff attrition to avoid cutting programs. The proposed budget remains contingent on the final state budget.
Superintendent Jim Helmen told the Budget Committee on April 17 that "in preparing the 2025-26 budget, the District had a $200,000 shortfall." He said district leaders and the business office are using staff attrition and disciplined fiscal decisions to maintain K-12 staff and existing student programs without cuts so far.
Helmen cautioned that the district's proposed budget is based on the Governor's estimate and that state-level changes in May or June could require adjustments. Business Manager Marie Knight noted the ending fund balance is 5.1 percent, compared with the budget-law requirement of 5 percent, and identified PERS and unemployment cost increases as contributors to the shortfall.
