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2025-26 Budget Development

Despite ongoing spending-reduction efforts, Shoreline School District, like many public school districts in Washington State, continues to face a budget shortfall, with annual expenditures outpacing revenues. For the 2025-26 school year, we have an estimated budget deficit of $6.5-8.5 million, though this figure can fluctuate. Substantial reductions will be necessary to address both immediate needs and long-term financial health.

Superintendent's Message: 2025 Supplemental Levy

At the April 30, 2025 Special School Board Meeting, the Board adopted Resolution 2025-7 to place a one-year supplemental levy on the August 5, 2025 ballot. This decision follows the district’s recommendation to request the maximum amount permitted under the recent legislative change (ESHB 2049, which is pending gubernatorial approval).

Susana Reyes headshot

Read Superintendent Reyes' message to the community
 

Third-Party Budget Review

Shoreline School District enlisted a third party to provide an independent review of the financial health of the Shoreline School District. This analysis and report was provided by Sally D. McLean.

For Shoreline School District the most immediate question addressed in the report is: 

Does Shoreline School District need to reduce expenditures by an additional $6.5 million to maintain financial stability in the 2025-26 school year? 

In response to this question, the report states, in part, "...Shoreline School District does need to reduce expenditures and explore options to accommodate a $6.5 million shortfall for 2025-26, with consideration also given to the impacts of 2026-27 school year."

2025-26 and Beyond Budgetary Outlook Summary Report
 

Learn more about outside review of Shoreline School District finances and financial oversight

2025-26 Budget Survey

In late March 2025, Shoreline School District launched a 2025-26 Budget Development Survey to gather input from staff, families, students, and community members and compare responses given to a spring 2023 budget survey.

May Survey Report

The report below is an second presentation and analysis of the responses gathered through May 2, 2025.

2025-26 Budget Survey May Report

April Survey Report

The report below is an initial presentation and analysis of the responses gathered through April 13, 2025.

2025-26 Budget Survey Initial Report

2025-26 Reduced Educational Program

At the May 6, 2025 School Board meeting, Superintendent Susana Reyes and Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Angela Von Essen presented the second reading of a draft Reduced Educational Program (REP). The School Board adopted Resolution 2025-8, Approval of 2025-2026 Reduced Educational Program (REP).

Watch the REP Second Reading Recording

Presentation Slides

The REP has been developed as part of the 2025-26 budget development process. A REP is a legally required step taken by a school district to implement a reduction in force (RIF, aka: layoffs) for the following school year.

We must take the necessary steps to position Shoreline School District for financial stability, which means getting to a place where we can weather the fluctuations and unknowns of K-12 school funding and expenses, and where we can resume the investments in the programs and services that support the high quality of education our students deserve and families expect for their children.

In the coming weeks and months, we will have a clearer picture of our financial outlook for 2025-26 and beyond, including the financial impacts of the recent Washington State legislative session, our ongoing monitoring of the district’s budget, collaboration with our labor partners, and the outcome of the August 5 election (assuming the governor signs ESHB 2049). As always, we will strive to make financial decisions that center student outcome goals identified in the strategic plan and, to the extent possible, make reductions furthest away from students in need of the most support.

At the April 1, 2025 School Board meeting, Superintendent Susana Reyes and Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Angela Von Essen presented the first reading of a draft Reduced Educational Program (REP)

Watch the Draft REP Presentation Recording | Presentation Slides

As we continue the important and challenging work to balance our budget, we invite staff, students, families, and community members to provide feedback and ask questions here: 2025-26 Budget Development Feedback and Questions

We have much work ahead of us as we develop the 2025-26 budget, and the survey will remain open throughout the process for ongoing community input.

The key information for members of our community to take away from this presentation is:

  • Our efforts to save money have helped us get through the past two years, and we need to continue expenditure reductions into future years to bring expenses in line with revenue. 
  • Our 2023-24 position was better than projected and current year (2024-25) projections show improvement; however, we face a significant budget deficit for next year (2025-26).
  • Substantial reductions will be necessary to address both immediate needs and long-term financial health.

Presentation slides

Why Continued Reductions are Necessary

We need to consider the following current and ongoing realities of our budget emergency:

  • Our ending unreserved fund balance continues to be dangerously low
  • Expenses continue to outpace our revenues
  • Our district has been operating without certain curriculum and resources necessary to provide the high standard of educational services we expect for our students
  • There have been very limited professional development opportunities, which are critical to enhance and evolve professional practice
  • Buildings have been operating with limited supplies, failing equipment that hasn’t been replaced, and outdated systems
  • We must get to a place of financial health where we can resume investments in the elements that are necessary to support our schools
  • The more we delay investments, the more expensive it will be to bring district materials and systems up to date

2025-26 Budget Planning and Development Reports and Presentations

Shoreline School District will consider feedback received as part of the 2025-26 budget development process. Questions received will be used to create a current FAQ page.

2025-26 Budget Development Survey

Prior years' budget FAQs