Superintendent Kevin warns state funding formula could cause multimillion-dollar drops for some districts

Superintendent Kevin told the board the district had joined other districts asking the Oregon Department of Education to revisit how it calculates student funding, saying the current method uses three-year-old data and can swing aid amounts unexpectedly. "We're using data that's 3 years old...the problem is it's about 3 years old," he said.

Kevin said some districts were facing steep declines based on the formula and gave a statewide example: "There are some districts this year that are going to see a significant multi $1,000,000 draw...like a $10,000,000 drop," he said, urging the board to prepare for the impacts and to follow related state activity. He said he had signed on with a group of districts to send a letter to ODE requesting a review of the timing and calculations used in funding determinations.

The superintendent also reviewed local figures and operational planning: district enrollment stood at about 1,541 students and staffing plans are being made to match projected class sizes. He warned that while some neighboring districts are making reductions, Milton-Freewater is currently stable but must plan for potential changes.

Board members pressed for details about timeline and next steps; Kevin said he would continue to monitor the state legislative sessions and coordinating work with legal and bond counsel. "For instance, this Friday, I'm going to Portland for a meeting...some of the things that we're looking for to move forward," he said, describing outreach to state officials.