We’re entering a critical phase of our annual budget process. While our goal remains providing a high-quality education for every student, we will need to make some challenging budget decisions, and we want to hear your input.

After adjusting for declining enrollment, the district is facing a $25M budget deficit in the 2026-2027 year due to:

• Operating in a structural deficit
• Local option levy collection rates

Please take a few minutes to watch this video presentation from Budget Manager Jessica Jones. Then fill out the short survey ranking the proposed reductions. The last day to submit your input is February 28.

Thank you for your feedback.

Proposed Reductions

The following outlines proposed reductions and how the district plans to continue serving students through more efficient service models.

Regional Social Worker Model
BSD would transition social worker services to a regional model. Rather than being assigned to a single school, social workers would work in geographic clusters to support groups of schools. This would eliminate the overlap in services that currently occurs when social workers at multiple schools serve a single family with more than one child in the district. This model ensures every student has access to social and emotional support while maximizing the reach of staff. Estimated savings: $2.7 million

Proportional Staffing: Elementary Classroom Teachers
BSD would change the current practice of guaranteeing every elementary school has at least two classrooms per grade level regardless of how many students are enrolled. This shift allows the district to assign teachers more flexibly based on actual student enrollment at each site. While some schools may only have one classroom in some grades, the district remains committed to keeping class sizes manageable and ensuring every student receives high-quality instruction and support. Estimated savings: $1.9 million

Proportional Staffing: Counselors
BSD would adjust staffing for counselors to better align with caseloads across schools—including recalibrating caseloads at secondary schools—rather than guaranteeing one counselor per school. Through a weighted staffing model, the district can ensure resources are allocated to schools with higher concentrations of student needs. Estimated savings: $1.6 million

Centralized Instructional Technology Support
BSD would restructure instructional technology support by moving to centralized coordination and district-level support. The move reflects a shift toward embedding instructional strategies within general education classrooms rather than relying on specific specialists at every school. Estimated savings: $1.4 million

Proportional Staffing: Elementary Specialists
Staffing for music and PE specialists at elementaries would be adjusted to be more proportionate to the number of students at each school rather than staffing a minimum of two full-time specialists at each site. This shift ensures a fair distribution of music and PE specialists across the district so all students have access to a well-rounded education regardless of school size. Estimated savings: $1.1 million

Centralized Substance Use Support
BSD would restructure substance use support by moving to a centralized district model. This allows a dedicated team to provide specialized expertise and intervention across all schools, ensuring consistent and professional care for students who need it. Estimated savings: $916,000

Proportional Staffing: Behavioral Specialists
BSD would adjust staffing for student behavioral specialists at elementaries to better align with the specific needs of each school population. By using a weighted staffing model, the district can ensure resources are directed where they are needed most, maintaining a strong safety net for all students. Estimated savings: $695,000

Student Work Experience (WEX) Model
BSD would restructure the work experience for students in specialized programs from an every-day model to an every-other-day model. The district would continue to provide opportunities for real-world experience through a more efficient program structure. Estimated savings: $452,000

Proportional Staffing: Instructional Coaches
Instructional coaches help teachers refine their craft to better serve students. These positions would be allocated based on the number of classroom teachers or sections in a school rather than one per site. This ensures that coaching support is distributed fairly and that teachers receive the help they need to maintain high academic standards. Estimated savings: $356,000

Middle School and Option School Scheduling
The district is proposing small adjustments to how teachers are allocated at middle schools and option schools to better match scheduling models. Currently, schools are funded the same even if teachers are assigned a different number of class periods each day. This update ensures staffing levels are aligned with actual school schedules. Estimated savings: $272,000

Credit Recovery Allocation
BSD would reduce a small portion of the budget previously set aside for credit recovery for Early College High School students but was not being accessed by the intended student group. This change will have no impact on the services or support available to ECHS students working toward graduation. Estimated savings: $41,000

Proportional Staffing: FLEX Online School
BSD will continue to operate its K-12 online school, but it would implement operational efficiencies, including allocating staff more proportionate to student enrollment, similar to the model used for brick-and-mortar schools. Estimated savings: TBD

District Office Reductions
Over the past three years, BSD has prioritized using reserves and reducing central office costs to shield schools from reductions. Each department is currently identifying cuts to further reduce district-level support to schools. Estimated savings: TBD