District proposes up to $250,000 of projected surplus to address extreme class sizes

The Silver Falls School District superintendent recommended using part of a newly projected 2023–24 surplus to immediately address critical classroom staffing shortages.

"I think that allocating up to $250,000 of the increase in that projected revenue, on the ending fund balance is gonna be essential for our critical staffing needs," the superintendent said, urging the board to protect staff and students from short-term harm while longer-term deficits in other funds are addressed. The board heard an urgent public comment from Butte Creek second-grade teacher Sherry Thompson, who said, "Currently, I have 34 2nd graders in my classroom," and described the difficulty of providing required small-group instruction with that many seven-year-olds.

Thompson told the board she counts 96 K–2 students at her site served by three teachers and said enrollment jumped from 282 to 305 since June, adding, "I have 3 students learning to write their name right now" and pleading for additional staff. Board members and district finance staff discussed options including hiring two teachers and some instructional aides with the $250,000, using reserves more broadly, or considering other contingency steps if state revenues underperform.

The superintendent and finance staff cautioned the figures are projections pending the district audit, and warned of cash‑flow risks tied to special revenue funds. The board agreed to receive a more detailed staffing plan and requested administration prioritize the most critical classrooms before implementing hires.