EVERETT — As the Edmonds School District faces an estimated $8.5 million budget deficit, the school board is looking at potential cuts to student programs and staff.
On Tuesday, the board will discuss adopting a reduced educational program for the 2025-26 school year, which includes cutting up to 12 certificated staff positions. The board may choose to cut other positions when it passes its final budget in July.
The board plans to vote on the program April 29. Staff members must be notified of their termination by May 15, according to state law.
This year’s deficit is smaller than the past two years. For the 2023-24 school year, the district faced a $15 million deficit. Last year, it was $10.6 million. Expected expenditures for the 2025-26 school year include library materials, wage increases, insurance premiums and election costs.
The district does not yet know the exact deficit because its budget relies on state funding. For example, a special education funding bill in the state Legislature may offset some of the deficit. The legislative session ends April 27.
In March, the district opened its “Balancing Act” survey, which asked community members to balance the budget by choosing from a list of potential revenue increases and spending cuts. Community members could also leave comments about each item. The district received 1,165 responses from students, teachers, staff members and community members and nearly 100 pages of comments.
At 88.2%, cutting student intervention coordinators at elementary schools received the most votes. It would save the district $1.1 million. Student intervention coordinators help create plans for students who need additional behavioral support. Last school year, the district reduced the number of student intervention coordinators.
“While I’m not sure how much the community understands the importance of the SINC position, I worry that further reductions beyond what we’ve already made could lead to significant turnover among elementary administrators — an unintended outcome that would not be beneficial for students, staff or the community,” one comment read.
Other budget changes that received the most votes were increasing hourly community use rates, closing district reception, increasing credit card transaction fees and cutting teachers on special assignment.
A number of participants noted they were unable to complete the survey without eliminating either sixth grade band and orchestra or middle school athletics. The cuts would save the district $780,000 and $315,000 respectively. Last year, the district cut fifth grade band and orchestra programs.
“There are no easy answers or easy solutions to this situation, particularly as these cuts come after two years of budget cuts,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner wrote in the district’s newsletter last month, “and there are very few options left to consider when making reductions.”
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
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