Eugene School District 4J

The school board adopted the budget for the coming school year at its May 21 work session. 

The adopted budget, which takes effect July 1: 

• Reduces expenses by a net total of $15.9 million
• Adds back $3.2 million from the budget initially proposed in April for school-based licensed and classified positions.
• Adds $4.9 million over last year's budget for English Language Development staffing, a new Life Skills classroom, extended learning from Integrated Guidance and picking up services from Lane ESD. 
• Likely uses around $26 million in reserves.
• Projects an ending fund balance below the 8% minimum reserve level set by school board policy
• Projects a need for some $27.5 million in cuts for 2026-27 to create a balanced budget that meets the reserve policy minimum.

Like other districts in Oregon that have not fully addressed declining enrollment and have become significantly reliant on diminishing reserves, this budget places the district at some risk of seeing its bond rating reduced in the future. 

Planning for the 2026-27 budget process will begin soon, and the district will share information during the course of the coming school year on how a likely budget gap of more than $27 million may be closed.

Learn More

2025-26 Budget Planning