The Beaverton School District is grateful to Oregon voters who showed their strong support for education and other public services by passing Ballot Measures 66 and 67.  Passage of these two measures saved the Beaverton School District from making $19 million in budget reductions.

Although the two measures passed, the District is still facing significant budget challenges. Last year, $34 million was reduced from the 2009-10 general fund budget. Over $16 million were one-time reductions.  Additional reductions in the amount of $16 million must be identified in the 2010-2011 budget.

The Legislature is expected to consider transferring $200 million from the Rainy Day Fund to the state school fund before the end of this school year.  That decision will be based on the next two economic forecasts in February and May. If this transfer is not made, the District stands to lose an additional $13 million in state school funding.

There are several other factors that will impact the 2010-2-11 budget.  The District's contract with teachers and employment agreement with administrators both expire June 30, 2010, and the resulting contract and employment agreement are currently under discussion.  Health benefit costs are expected to rise.  On the plus side, the District is projected to grow by approximately 320 students in the 2010-2011 school year, which will provide additional funding.

The District's Budget Committee has begun meeting to plan the 2010-2011 District budget. The District is also exploring an evidenced-based budgeting process that can align the District's Five Year Strategic Plan, implementation strategies and funding. I invite your participation in the budgeting process.You may follow the process by logging on to
[ http://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/home/departments/business-services/distri... ]/home/departments/business-services/district-annual-budget/.  

The Budget Committee will host two Budget Listening Sessions from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 2 at Beaverton High School, 13000 SW Second St., and from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, at Conestoga Middle School, 12250 SW Conestoga Dr.  All community members are welcome to attend either meeting.  Stakeholders may also share their input by downloading a Budget Suggestion Form from the webpage listed above.