Larger Budget Gap Anticipated
The critical numbers in Eugene School District 4J's still-developing budget proposal could look different – and more dire – than what the district has discussed in recent months.
Revised calculations for the coming 2026-27 school year, with updated projections for employee costs that reflect higher insurance, public pension rates, unemployment and wages, show that the district’s initial estimate for spending was too low. Despite planning for around $30 million in cuts, some $10 to $20 million more in savings could be necessary to balance the budget.
Superintendent Miriam Mickelson and her staff received the staffing plans from schools and departments for the coming year, after the school board approved the possible elimination of up to 269 full-time-equivalent positions. They've found a widening, rather than a closing, gap between the district's planned services and the revenue expected to arrive to pay for them.
“This is extremely disappointing, but we have to tackle it the best we can for our students,” Dr. Mickelson said. She admits the timing is particularly painful after having discussed an already daunting $30 million in cuts with staff, families and the community since she came on board last summer.
“This news will understandably create anxiety for our staff and families, and we wish we had more to share now,” she said. “We wanted to be as transparent as possible and let people know what we might be dealing with as soon as we knew what these recent projections could mean. We will continue calculating and reviewing in the days ahead, and we will at least be able to include more accurate information in the Budget Document that our budget committee and board will review on March 31.”
Dr. Mickelson said that while she and her staff have had to consider savings beyond what has already been announced, she is not pursuing any school closures for 2026-27, or school schedule changes beyond the already approved middle school schedule change to a six-period day. She also hopes to avoid seeking more authority from the board to cut staff positions beyond the maximum number previously approved.
The superintendent expects to have more detail after spring break about the latest budget projections and additional balancing steps that may be needed. The process to finalize 4J's budget for 2026-27 begins at that time, as the district's budget committee kicks off its series of meetings on March 31.
The budget committee includes all the members of 4J's school board, as well as seven other community members who have been appointed to three-year terms by the board. The budget committee ensures that the proposed budget is balanced, spending no more than the district's available resources, and approves the total amount of the budget in each fund area, as well as the tax rate. The school board then must adopt the budget before June 30.
Important Budget Review & Adoption Dates
- Tuesday, March 31 – Budget Committee Meeting (agenda)
- Wednesday, April 8 – Budget Committee Meeting
- Wednesday, April 15 – School Board Regular Meeting
- Wednesday, April 22 – Budget Committee Meeting (approval vote expected)
- Wednesday, April 29 – School Board Work Session
- Wednesday, May 13 – School Board Budget Public Hearing
- Wednesday, May 27 – School Board Meeting (adoption vote expected)