Salem-Keizer School Board Adopts $1.12 Billion Budget for 2026-27

At its regularly scheduled June 9 meeting, the Salem-Keizer School Board of Directors adopted the district’s 2026-27 budget following approval by the district budget committee. The adopted budget totals $1,123,552,460 and includes a combination of district efficiencies, staff reductions, and strategic investments in early literacy instruction.

“We anticipate the coming years of K-12 funding in Oregon will be lean, and though we have made difficult spending reductions, we still have to rely on using our reserves,” said Superintendent Andrea Castañeda. “The state is not keeping pace with the rising costs of running schools. Yet, we are proposing a series of bold new investments that keep students at the center, alongside significant, unavoidable reductions.”

The adopted 2026-27 budget strategically aligns resources, invests in key areas and supports the district’s commitment to improving student outcomes.

The budget continues the district’s strategic plan, Climbing Together, through investments that include:

• Prioritizing early literacy by deblending many kindergarten and first-grade classrooms
• Continuing investment in high-quality curriculum and professional development
• Expanding the training academy to ensure staff are prepared to respond to student behavioral needs
• Refining data tools to provide school-based staff with actionable information in real time
• Improving students’ sense of belonging through elementary programming

Salem-Keizer Public Schools has remained financially stable through careful budgeting, conservative planning and the strategic use of reserves to manage short-term cost pressures. However, financial challenges continue to grow because of escalating costs and declining student enrollment. Most of the district’s annual general fund revenue is budgeted for staffing costs.

2026-27 Budget Timeline

The superintendent’s budget message was presented to the budget committee on May 5, 2026.

Budget committee public meetings were held on May 13 and May 18 to receive public comment on the proposed budget and to discuss, deliberate and recommend an approved budget for school board adoption.

On May 18, 2026, the budget committee recommended an approved budget to the Salem-Keizer Public Schools Board of Directors.

The school board’s public hearing on June 9, 2026, fulfilled the legal requirement to receive testimony on the approved budget and to take action to adopt and appropriate the budget and resolution to impose and categorize taxes for the upcoming fiscal year.

The adopted budget for the 2026-27 school year will be available on the district's Budget webpage as soon as possible.