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Vernonia presents proposed 2025–26 budget showing $200,000 shortfall but balanced general fund
Summary
District officials presented a proposed 2025–26 budget that reflects a roughly $200,000 shortfall, a balanced general fund of about $10.64 million, and priority items including a 3.75-hour instructional assistant, a 9–12 hybrid alternative program, and a contingent 6% COLA for staff.
District presenters walked the budget committee through the proposed 2025–26 ("2526" in the packet) budget and highlighted a roughly $200,000 shortfall while emphasizing measures taken to protect core student programs.
"We did have a $200,000 shortfall. You guys will see that within our budget," the presenter explained while reading the superintendent's letter and packet narrative. The presentation said the district has adopted conservative budgeting, reallocating funds and relying on natural staff attrition to sustain programming.
The packet states the district maintains "a balanced general fund budget of $10,635,200" based on March 2025 state school fund estimates. Key proposed program-level highlights include adding a 3.75-hour instructional assistant at Bernonia Family Academy, launching a 9–12 alternative education hybrid program on campus to support students who split time between online and in-person instruction, and a proposed 6% certified and classified cost-of-living adjustment — described in the packet as "contingent on increase in state school funds."
Presenter and business staff repeatedly framed the budget as conservative and transparent while urging committee members to review the packet and submit questions through the provided Google form. Committee members asked for clarification about the hybrid program staffing model and whether the 3.75 hours represented FTE; presenters said that 3.75 hours corresponds to a part-time position (about 0.5 FTE) and that the district intends to hire someone experienced in home-school/online program support.
