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Brookings-Harbor superintendent cites 17% enrollment decline, previews $1.2M in preliminary budget cuts
Summary
Superintendent Helena Chirinian reported a 17% enrollment decline since 2017-18, said preliminary budget cuts of $1.2 million are being explored, and urged legislative advocacy to address special-education reimbursement shortfalls; the board discussed outreach to families and academic-accountability measures.
Superintendent Helena Chirinian told the board the district has experienced a 17% decline in enrollment since 2017-18 and said preliminary budget cuts totaling about $1.2 million are being explored to address the shortfall.
Chirinian highlighted special-education funding as a particular concern, stating that "only 11% of SPED students are covered by state reimbursement despite the district serving 15-16%." She said the district will advocate for legislative action to address reimbursement disparities. Chirinian also described possible programmatic and academic-accountability responses, including requiring high-school students to retake failed classes in person.
Chair Jay Trost urged a multi-faceted approach to outreach, encouraging targeted efforts to families who have left the district. The board did not take formal budget action at this meeting; the budget calendar for 2025-2026 was adopted to guide the planning process.
