Superintendent: unexpected PERS side-account shortfall forces budget recheck

Superintendent Drill warned trustees the district's side account that had been offsetting PERS costs ran out sooner than expected and that staff will revisit all budgets and personnel plans.

"We did not calculate that the site account would run out in August," Superintendent Drill said, explaining that earlier forecasts had shown exhaustion in February 2027 but updated figures pushed that date forward. He said the district must now reexamine budgets for each building and program ahead of the 2027'28 school year.

Drill illustrated the scale of the change using pension-related costs: "the difference alone in PERS was $6,000 more for 1 employee," he said, and noted the district employs roughly 345 staff in positions affected by PERS contributions. He added that enrollment shifts—about 55 fewer students when comparing last year's seniors to this year's kindergarten cohort—also tighten revenues and increase pressure on staffing and program decisions.

District leaders said they intend to hold sit-down budget meetings with principals and central staff in the weeks before school opens to finalize how to absorb the added PERS expense and any enrollment-driven revenue shortfall. No layoffs or specific staffing reductions were approved at this meeting; staff are preparing options for future discussion.