Eugene School District 4J

Eugene School District 4J is entering the 2026–27 budget process facing difficult decisions. This year alone, the district is projected to spend more than $23 million in reserves—even after implementing reductions in the last budget cycle. In the previous year, reserves declined by roughly $30 million to sustain current programs and staffing.

Over the past several years, 4J has been a strong steward of public funds, intentionally building reserves to prepare for times of financial strain. Now, however, the district faces a convergence of challenges: a steady decline in birth rates and student enrollment, rising student needs, increasing retirement/benefits/salary costs, and the complete expiration of federal COVID-relief funding. To remain financially sustainable, 4J must reduce spending to align more closely with state resources and ensure the long-term stability of services for students.

Starting in October, our district began engaging the public, union groups, staff and community members to start talking about the financial restrictions our district will be facing in the upcoming years. This will inevitably mean reductions in our staffing, programs, and services that we can offer our students and community. These reductions are necessary to ensure that 4J continues to operate within its means while prioritizing student learning, equity and safety in light of changing financial realities.

These reductions come at a time when we are faced with uncertainty about the continuation of federal funds that are targeted to support some of our most vulnerable populations including students with disabilities, Native American students, students from migrant families, houseless students, emerging bilingual students, and economically disadvantaged students. The district receives millions of dollars annually in federal funds to support learning and provide school meals, after-school and summer learning opportunities, safe routes to school, Career and Technical Education programs, teacher pathways, early learning, and more.