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Budget Planning for 2026-27
Growing Together — Centering Students
4J is committed to being as transparent as possible and providing timely updates to our 4J community as it reduces spending for the coming school year’s budget by tens of millions of dollars. This webpage provides detailed information about the budget shortfall and the steps toward closing it. Importantly, it provides ways for the 4J community to stay informed and involved so the district makes needed financial decisions while remaining committed to our top priorities: students’ academic success and social-emotional well-being.
Latest Update
March 19, 2026: 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.
Prior Updates
Update #5: Feb. 4, 2026
Update #4: Jan. 23, 2026
Update #3: Jan. 9, 2026
Update #2: Dec. 18, 2025
Update #1: Nov. 25, 2025