Preparing for the 2026–27 Budget

Navigating Our Budget Challenges

As previously announced, many school districts across Oregon are navigating financial challenges as well as declining student enrollment. For Salem-Keizer, we need to reduce the 2026-27 school year’s budget by $25 million. We are not planning any reductions to take place for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year.

We will continue sharing additional information about our budget reduction process in the coming weeks. Throughout this process, we will have opportunities for our community to get involved in the conversation.

Stay Informed On The Latest Updates

To ensure you have the latest, accurate information about our upcoming 2026-27 budget, make sure to periodically review content on the district’s Budget Updates webpage.

How Will This Impact Salem-Keizer Public Schools?

Salem-Keizer is one of many districts that will be making important financial decisions in the coming months. Our schools are improving academically, and we need to protect that momentum.

Financial Implications for Salem-Keizer Public Schools

Just two years ago, Salem-Keizer reduced our budget by $70 million, which included a difficult reduction-in-force. So, why are we preparing for another budget challenge?

• Our student enrollment is shrinking, but staffing expenses are growing. Salem-Keizer’s enrollment declined by over 1,000 students this year. Even though our enrollment is falling, the needs of our students continue to rise. Our schools provide more than an education. We also provide food, clothing, medical and dental screening, and social services. Our staff provide these important services.
• Operating costs continue to increase rapidly without adjustments to our state funding revenue. Ninety-five percent of our district’s annual operating funds are budgeted to staff. This is because schools are student-centered and people-powered.

How Is Salem-Keizer Public Schools Preparing?

Salem-Keizer has five core values, and this financial challenge requires us to live into all of them. Our response must keep students at the center with decisions focused on equity. We need to navigate this challenge by prioritizing relationships with one another, strengthening our community. And through it all, we must protect the conditions for teaching, learning, and academic excellence.

Join us for a Community Budget Discussion

On February 3 and 4, we will be holding budget discussion meetings to engage the community in Salem-Keizer’s upcoming budget reductions. This will be a time to learn more about why a budget reduction is needed, next steps Salem-Keizer is going to take and an opportunity to ask questions.

More details will be shared when they are available.