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).
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 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
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.
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
- November 12, 2024 Financial Update and 2025-2026 Budget Planning
- December 2, 2024: Shoreline School District Enrollment Trends, Demographics, and Projections
- December 10, 2024: Brief Review of November 12 Presentation: Financial Update and 2025-2026 Budget Planning and 2023-24 Year-End Fiscal Financial Report (F-196)
- January 14, 2025: 2025-2026 Preliminary Enrollment Projections
- March 18, 2025: 2024-25 General Fund Mid-Year Financial Update and 2025-2026 Enrollment Projections Update
- April 1, 2025: First Reading: DRAFT Reduced Educational Program
- April 30, 2025: Supplemental Levy for Educational Programs and Operations
- May 6, 2025: Resolution to Approve 2025-26 REP
- May 20, 2025: Legislative Update
- June 17, 2025: Review of 2025-26 Preliminary Budget and 2024-24 Financial Update
- July 22, 2025: 2025-26 Budget Hearing and Budget Adoption
November 12, 2024 Financial Update and 2025-2026 Budget Planning
December 2, 2024: Shoreline School District Enrollment Trends, Demographics, and Projections
December 10, 2024: Brief Review of November 12 Presentation: Financial Update and 2025-2026 Budget Planning and 2023-24 Year-End Fiscal Financial Report (F-196)
January 14, 2025: 2025-2026 Preliminary Enrollment Projections
March 18, 2025: 2024-25 General Fund Mid-Year Financial Update and 2025-2026 Enrollment Projections Update
April 1, 2025: First Reading: DRAFT Reduced Educational Program
April 30, 2025: Supplemental Levy for Educational Programs and Operations
May 6, 2025: Resolution to Approve 2025-26 REP
May 20, 2025: Legislative Update
June 17, 2025: Review of 2025-26 Preliminary Budget and 2024-24 Financial Update
July 22, 2025: 2025-26 Budget Hearing and Budget Adoption
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.