Schools — District does not expect to cut its budget after state passes $7.255 billion in education funding

Newberg School District officials had been advocating for and hoping the Legislature would pass a $7.5 billion budget for the next two years, so when the Oregon House of Representatives passed a $7.255 billion budget for K-12 education March 31, it was a disappointment.

Newberg superintendent Kym LeBlanc-Esparza said at a budget committee meeting the same day that she does not believe the district will have to make reductions and that the cost of adding full-day kindergarten next year, a mandated state-wide initiative, will be covered. She also told district budget committee members that good investments and conservative spending will “keep the district solid.”

“It’s not pretty, but we are not cutting the budget,” she said.

LeBlanc-Esparza thanked parents, staff and community members for their e-mails, letters and phone calls urging legislators to increase education funding in Oregon.

“Your voices have made a difference,” she said. “Legislators seem to recognize that this school funding level is inadequate and that they need to do more.”

Despite this unusually early budget number for schools, the school funding picture is far from complete. District Chief Financial Officer Gwen Gardner explained that there are a number of unknowns that will impact the bottom line including health care costs, local tax revenue and whether schools will receive additional revenue if the economy improves according to the May revenue forecast.

The 14-member budget committee will meet for a workshop session April 21 to review the school budgeting process, budget parameters, state school funding formulas and district goals. The first official meeting of the budget committee is scheduled for May 5 at the school district office. 

Written by: Seth Gordon