Dear WLWV Parents/Guardians,

We have several budget and staffing process updates for the 2025-2026 school year to share with our West Linn-Wilsonville community. 

School Budget Approved by Budget Committee

On May 19, the West Linn-Wilsonville Budget Committee approved the 2025-26 budget. The approved budget will now go to the West Linn-Wilsonville School Board for adoption during the June 16 School Board meeting. Since the Budget Committee’s approval, there has been additional budget information that the School Board will consider before adoption. Please find important related budget and calendar updates below. 

Generosity of WLWV Educators, Donation of Income (Furlough Days)

Our licensed teaching staff and administrators are generously contributing two furlough days to benefit class sizes next year. This means that they will be giving up two days of their income and donating it back to the school district to fund additional teachers. This equates to about 6.5 FTE, or additional full-time staff members, for next school year.

While I am deeply moved and humbled by the generosity, I am saddened that educators and parents/community members continue to donate personal income and resources to offset national and statewide budgetary shortfalls. Our West Linn-Wilsonville residents have generously passed Local Option Levies over the years to supplement the State School Fund. Our class sizes would be much higher and we would have fewer academic programs and support staff without our levy.

We will remain hopeful that continued fierce advocacy moves the conscience of our national and state elected officials towards action. Historically, public education has been filled with uphill battles and personal sacrifice to ensure that every child, regardless of their income, religious beliefs, the color of their skin, gender, ability or disability has the right to a free and appropriate education.  And in that spirit, once again, I humbly thank our educators and our community for your relentless commitment to our students.

Calendar Changes for 2025-2026

Due to the two furlough days, the school calendar will be adjusted to reflect two fewer student instructional days next school year. The School Board approved the calendar changes at a special board meeting on June 2. Amended calendars have been updated on the district website. The two furlough days (no school for students) will take place on November 10, 2025 and May 22, 2026. Additional reminders about these calendar changes will be communicated to families over the coming weeks. 

Enrollment Projections for 2025-2026

At this time we have about 300 fewer students enrolled for next year (8,592) than we currently have enrolled this year (8,891).  This is due to large high school graduating classes and lower incoming kindergarten classes. Primary level is down (so far) approximately 250 students. It is only June and the enrollment process is incomplete, so we are hopeful to gain more students between now and the start of the school year.

With added staffing from the furlough days, our average class size at the primary level will be approximately 24.5 students going into the summer.  The average will increase as enrollment increases.  Our intention is to watch enrollment closely over the next weeks, make adjustments and add staffing in areas of the greatest need.  Similar to every school year, we will adjust and add again in mid-August when we have a clearer picture of final enrollment. 

Oppenlander Property Sale and Added Teachers

Sealed bids for the purchase of the district’s Oppenlander property are being actively received until mid-July.  Once the School Board accepts a bid, the proceeds will be allocated accordingly: $6.5 million to the district Land Account, $1.2 million to renovate softball/baseball fields at Riverside High School, and remaining proceeds to fund additional teachers for the 2025-2026 school year. We expect to make these staffing additions (whether in Primary Level or Secondary Level) in August when final enrollment is clearer. 

Thank you for your continued support of our teachers, support staff, administrators, and students. As we approach graduations, promotions, and end-of-year celebrations, the dedicated presence of our parent-guardians and community members is very evident. We thank you for your involvement, your support and your belief in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. 

We will continue to provide our community with updates and information regarding the budget and enrollment in the summer and as we get closer to the start of the new school year.

Sincerely,

Kathy Ludwig, Superintendent

Dear WLWV Community,

There’s a quote by the late Sen. John Lewis that reminds us, “If you come together with a mission, and it’s grounded with love and a sense of community, you can make the impossible possible.” There are so many recent examples of this poignant statement that I would like to celebrate with our school community. 

West Linn-Wilsonville Community Makes It Possible

Over the last two weeks I’ve attended a number of community and school events across our district that have demonstrated Sen. Lewis’ message.  There is clearly a grounding of love and sense of community that is focused on making the impossible possible for our students.

The Wilsonville Rotary and West Linn Rotary spring fundraisers center on supporting our students through scholarships, exchange programs, Interact Club, the WLWV Family Empowerment Center and, most recently, bringing awareness to child trafficking. 

The Boeckman Creek and Boones Ferry Primary School International Fairs celebrated our diverse community’s cultural heritage, music, foods, dance and art of our students and families. When our students can be happy and proud of who they are then we model humanity at its best. 

Our K-8 PTA/PTOs and High School booster clubs demonstrate coming together for a mission by supporting our students’ access to enriched learning experiences and a wide range of co-curricular activities and clubs. The recent Trillium Creek Pizza Bingo Night and Stafford Tiger Dash I attended were filled with energy, excitement and a strong sense of community. Thank you, parent volunteers, for providing ways for our students and families to feel connected.

The WLWV District Art Show assembled an array of stunning art pieces submitted by students across each of our K-12 schools.  Families and community members were able to admire the creativity and talent of our students. The range of art on display showcased the diversity of our students and captured the expressions of their experiences. 

The District’s Middle School Musical, Disney’s "Descendants", brought together students and families from across the five middle schools in our district. The message in the song’s finale, “because we’re better together and stronger side by side” summarized both the experience of the actors as well as the aspirations we can share as a community.  One actor described this year’s theatre experience: “When you come here it’s people working together towards a common goal”.

Tomorrow, May 1, you may notice a number of teachers and staff greeting parents and students outside the front of school before the day begins, smiling and wearing red t-shirts. West Linn-Wilsonville School District is joining others across the state, with a message of collective advocacy for increased funding for K-12 public schools.  I will be standing with them, because “we’re better together and stronger side by side.”

“If you come together with a mission, and it’s grounded with love and a sense of community, you can make the impossible possible.”  Thank you to our amazing community for believing in our students, supporting our schools, working towards a common goal, and making the impossible possible.  

Proud2BWLWV,

Dr. Kathy Ludwig, Superintendent

Dear WLWV Community,

 

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District continues to prepare the proposed 2025-2026 school year budget. Please read the following updates regarding the budget process.

 

Budget Reduction Approximately $15 million for 2025-2026

On January 14, we shared with the WLWV community that the district would need to make approximately $15 million in reductions for the 2025-2026 school year. Like other school districts in Oregon, budget reductions are due to a number of factors: declining enrollment; unexpected PERS retirement rates increases; increased costs with goods/materials, insurance, workers compensation, utilities, transportation; unfunded legislative mandates; and inadequate state school funds in proportion to inflation increases. For those interested in more details on each of these areas, please refer to our Budget Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Where will reductions for 2025-2026 come from?

The planned reductions will be taken from district administration personnel; non-classroom personnel and operations ($7.46 million) and classroom personnel ($7.54 million). Personnel positions listed below are referred to as FTE (full-time equivalent). 

• District-Level Administrator Reductions - Approximately $1.6 Million

  • District-level administrators currently make up approximately 6.5% of the total district personnel (approximately 1,100 staff).

  • Business Office, HR Office, IT Office, Bond Office (Total 4 FTE)

  • Five Supervising Administrators (Total 5 FTE)

• Non-Personnel Operations Reductions - Approximately $1.4 Million

  • This area was already reduced for the 2024-2025 school year by $4.5 million and will be further reduced by $1.4 million for the 2025-2026 school year.

  • Materials & Supplies; Professional Development; Computer Software

• District & School Level, Non-Classroom Reductions - Approximately $4.46 Million

  • Librarians (3 FTE), Instructional Coordinators (4.4 FTE), Literacy Coaches 
    (4 FTE), Music/PE Specialists (4 FTE), Instructional TOSAs (2 FTE)

  • Custodial, Maintenance, Field IT, Nutrition, Community Services staff (Total 9.5 FTE)

  • Social Worker (1 FTE), Nurses (2 FTE), Psychologist (1 FTE), Student Support/Learning Specialists (3 FTE), ELD Specialist (1 FTE) 

  • Paraeducators (14 FTE), Administrative Assistants (2 FTE), ISEF assistant 
    (1 FTE)

• Classroom (teacher) Reductions - Approximately $7.54 Million

  • Primary Schools: 30 FTE 

  • Middle Schools: 15 FTE

  • High Schools: 14 FTE
    
    

The $15 million in reductions are approximately 9% of the General Fund expenditures. 

What are furlough days? Will the district do any?
A school district furlough day is a cancellation of a school day.  The savings gained comes from withholding all district staff’s wages for that day. Furlough days are typically implemented as an emergency cost saving measure when a district cannot meet payroll or finish a school year with adequate finances. Any decision to enact emergency furlough days and withhold wages must be approved by a school board; and, ensure that students either meet the state’s requirements for annual instructional hours or receive a waiver from the state. 

 

If furlough days are proposed as a proactive measure to bring back any reduced staff for an upcoming year, then the decision must also be voted on by each labor association (licensed and classified) as it impacts contract agreements and employee wages. Using today’s rates, one day of all district’s staff wages is approximately $600,000.  This would fund approximately 5.25 staff for the year: 3.25 licensed FTE and 2.0 classified FTE.

 

At this time, the Superintendent and School Board are not proposing proactive furlough days to mitigate reductions for the 2025-2026 school year.  However, our two labor associations are surveying staff to gauge interest on their end and will inform the District accordingly. 

 

How does a Capital Bond help the General Fund budget and preserve teachers?
A Capital Bond is a voter-approved tax levy that provides funds to school districts for capital projects like building new schools, renovating existing ones, or acquiring land. Bond funds help relieve the General Fund budget by paying for these capital projects using a separate fund thereby allowing the General Fund to continue paying for teachers, support staff, important curriculum, and daily operations.  Without a capital bond, all high-cost facility repairs, safety and structural replacements, and technology hardware would come from the General Fund. 

 

On March 15, 2025, the School District and its Long Range Planning Committee hosted a Capital Bond Summit to explore the community’s interest and support in a proposed capital bond on the November 2025 ballot.  This would be a renovation bond only, attending to critical repairs, safety & security requirements, technology maintenance, and community-supported facility upgrades. 

 

What outstanding factors could still impact 2025-2026 budget planning?

• Student enrollment. School districts are funded based on the number of students enrolled. We are watching enrollment projections carefully and will adjust staffing as needed. 

• Grant allocations. At this time, federal and state grant allocations are estimates.  Actual allocations may be adjusted and confirmed by Fall 2025.  

• Potential increased Special Education state funding. There is collective advocacy across various public school organizations and parent groups to raise the level of state funding to school districts for special education services. This request has yet to pass through the Ways & Means Committee. 

• SB 849 PERS State of Emergency.  With the unexpected rise in PERS payment rates across the state, a senate bill to provide some fiscal relief has passed the Oregon Senate and is awaiting approval by the Governor’s office and the PERS board. The fiscal relief would be a 1.68% reduction in PERS rates for all school districts for the 2025-2027 biennium. 

• Other Legislation.  Should there be passage of education legislation that requires school districts to absorb new costs this could negatively impact the budget. 

• National Influences: There are still unknowns as to how tariffs, federal department changes or federal grants may impact Oregon finances and the 2025-2027 biennium. 

 

What’s Next in the 2025-26 Budgeting Process?

• April 2025 - Superintendent Ludwig will provide an informational webinar on how school district budgets are funded, followed by a community survey for feedback.

• May 5, 2025 - Superintendent Ludwig will deliver the 2025-2026 Budget Message at the School Board meeting. The WLWV Budget Committee will hold its official Budget Work Session on May 19 to review, discuss and approve the proposed budget. Upon approval, the proposed budget will go to the WLWV School Board for final adoption at the June 16 school board meeting.

 

WLWV Commits to Healthy Financial Trajectory for the Future

Making reductions to operate within a tight budget is challenging on many levels. There are variables school districts can control and many variables they cannot. Critical and careful decisions that are challenging to apply in the short-term are necessary to provide long-term financial stability, preserve programs, retain as many staff as possible, and ensure academic success for all students. To review budget-related documents or recent updates, please visit the district website. Thank you for your feedback, your patience, and your grace as we continue forward with the 2025-26 budget process.

 

Sincerely,

Kathy Ludwig, Superintendent

Dear WLWV Community,

At yesterday evening’s School Board meeting, I presented a projected budget reduction of $15 million for the 2025-2026 school year. We’ve reached this projection based on some key factors (please read below) including the Governor’s proposed state school fund of $11.36 billion and the unexpected PERS rate increases that alone create a $6 million increase for our district next year. 

This announcement is earlier than anticipated, but with the School Board poised to make a decision at the end of the month regarding the possibility of consolidating one or more of the three smallest schools in the district, an analysis of the district’s prospective budget was necessary. 

Across Oregon, school communities can expect reductions. The proposed state school fund increase of 11% is not adequate when economic costs are closer to a 15% percent increase and the PERS retirement rates are doubling next year. While these reductions will be challenging, it is important to remind ourselves that West Linn-Wilsonville is an exceptional place to live and learn and we are committed to keeping it this way. 

What are the expenditures that create a need for a budget reduction?

There are several factors for budget reductions. Some of the biggest factors include:

• Declining enrollment — the district has approximately 950 fewer students enrolled than it did prior to the pandemic. This is a national and statewide trend, paired with a declining birth rate. Oregon has 35,000 fewer public school students since the pandemic. School districts are funded per student, which means districts are receiving less funding than they previously did. WLWV anticipates another decline of approximately 100 students next year.
• Increased staffing levels — The district intentionally used one-time pandemic funds to add staff towards academic and mental health support for students recovering from the pandemic’s impacts. This is no longer sustainable. Reductions to staffing began last year and need to continue this year to be able to finance the district within the state’s funding allocations. 
• PERS Retirement rate increases will be double from last year — This unexpected increase is an approximately $6 million additional cost to our budget next year. 
• Student needs have increased — Mental health needs continue to rise and special education identification has gone up across Oregon and the nation.There is possible legislation to raise the special education funding from 11% to 15% in Oregon to match the national average. This needs to be additional funding and not a re-distribution of current funding. 
• Increased costs with materials, insurance, workers compensation, utilities, transportation — Overall operating costs have increased considerably for school districts similar to what we all see at the grocery store, gas station, utilities, insurance, etc. Some increases are expected to rise by 15-20% next year. 
• Unfunded Mandates — Newer legislation has resulted in increased costs to employers (particularly schools) without additional state revenue provided or factored into the state school fund increase (e.g. Paid Leave Oregon SB 1515, Classified Unemployment SB 489). 

Where will reductions come from?

The $15 million in reductions are approximately 9% of the General Fund expenditures. At this time, the planned reductions will be taken from both non-classroom personnel and programs as well as classroom personnel. As the district works with the labor associations, more specifics will be communicated accordingly.

District-Level and School Reductions (non-classroom) - Approximately $7.46 Million

• Administrator Positions, District Office staffing, District and School Budgets
• Professional Learning, District and School Budgets, and Software 
• Support Staff and Programs, Paraeducators, Operations (staff and services)

Classroom Reductions (teachers) - Approximately $7.54 Million

• Primary Schools: 30 FTE (Average Class Size: 28)
• Middle Schools: 11 FTE
• High Schools: 17 FTE

How does the Small Schools decision factor into the budget process?

On January 27, the School Board is expected to make a decision based on community input, the Small School Task Force findings report, Long Range Planning Committee statement and information provided by the district at the January 13 school board meeting. The consolidation of a primary school yields approximately $1.45 million in savings and would be directly applied to lowering class sizes across the primary level (reducing 19 FTE instead of 30 FTE, resulting in average class sizes of 25 instead of 28). 

Can the District increase revenue somehow?

There are some limited ways that the district can increase revenue, examples include:

• Local Option Levy - The community passed a local option levy in 2023. These tax dollars fund additional teachers and offset federal and state grants that come in lower for our district than others due to demographics (e.g. income level of community). These positions are already factored into our budget. 
• Capital Bond - If voters pass a renewal of the Capital Bond in November 2025, these funds would help relieve the General Fund budget of some high-cost facility items. Capital funds cannot be used for daily operations (e.g. salaries, utilities, curriculum, computer software) but can be used for building repairs, safety improvements, or technology hardware replacement.
• Increases to facility rental fees — The district has not raised these rates since prior to the pandemic. The district has increased the fees to better cover the cost of maintaining and staffing our buildings and fields in evenings and weekends for community use. Fees and rental rates are now closer aligned to similar districts in the Portland-Metro area.

What is the 2025-26 Budget Process and Timeline?

It is still early. There are education groups including teachers, administrators and school boards advocating to legislators for increases to funding next year. We will make reductions cautiously while watching the news in Salem. Any changes that increase funding will be prioritized towards keeping class sizes lower and restoring support staff working directly with students. We will continue to keep our community informed over the next months. 

The official budget process begins in April for community members to provide input on budget priorities. The first Budget Committee Meeting is scheduled for May 19. The School Board will approve the 2025-26 budget in June. 

It is never easy to make reductions and there will be great care taken with each decision, collaboration with associations, input from the community considered, and communication along the way. We appreciate our community’s engagement, support, and partnership with our school leaders, teachers and students. Again, West Linn-Wilsonville is an exceptional place to live and learn and we are committed to maintaining that experience for our students, staff, and community. 

Please keep up-to-date with district messages, school messages, and website updates for accurate information about the budget and planning for next year. 

Most sincerely,
Kathy Ludwig, Superintendent

Dear WLWV Community,

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District continues to prepare the 2024-25 school year budget.  

Budget Reduction Increased to Approximately $10 million for 2024-25

In March, we shared with the WLWV community that the district would need to make approximately $4 million in reductions for the 2024-25 school year and another reduction the following year. Like other Oregon school districts, West Linn-Wilsonville has experienced the depletion of pandemic-related reserve funds, as well as inadequate state school funding lower than actual workforce costs and inflation. Unfortunately, reductions are needed to balance the budget.

As projected revenue becomes more clear, it has become evident that the district will need to make approximately $10 million in reductions in 2024-25. This is approximately 6.5% of the district’s general fund expenditures budget. Based on the 2025-27 state funding biennium allocation, another reduction the following year(s) may or may not be needed. 

What led to the increased reduction from $4 million to $10 million for 2024-25?

In the last month, we have received new information.

• Costs associated with insurance rates, supplies & materials, and utilities are coming in higher than projected. Some as high as 15% more than last year.

• State and Federal grant estimates are just now coming in. Each estimate has been lower than we have received in the past and projected for next year. For example, our overall federal Title grants were reduced by 41% based on census poverty data. Similarly, our state Student Investment Account Grant (our largest grant) is coming in less than we projected for next year.

• The district’s new substitute teacher vendor contract was not factored correctly in March; the correction revealed increased payroll costs of about $3 million. 

Where will the district make the reductions?

The district considers key investments and feedback from both the licensed and classified associations as well as the community.  The 2024-25 Budget Survey (1,000+ responses which includes staff, parents and community) data shows strong support for existing district programs (co-curricular activities, music, arts, world & dual language, preschool, STEM), curriculum for teachers, and mental health support. Hiring quality staff and maintaining effective class sizes remain the top two priorities identified in the survey and for the school district. 

1. Districtwide Department and School Operational Budget Reductions, Approximately $4.5 Million

Reductions include supplies, services, vendor contracts, rentals, utilities conservation, printers, etc. Note: remaining intact for next year will be board-approved curriculum renewal materials for Literacy and Math, as well as arts, music, athletics, and co-curricular programs.

2. District administrative and school/student support personnel (non-classroom positions) Reductions, Approximately $4 Million

Reductions include District Office administration, districtwide classified support staff, licensed support staff and TOSA positions, and reducing WKOA (online program) to service Grades 9-12 only. These personnel will be transferred to other vacant positions in the district or reduced due to natural attrition (retirement, resignation, temporary contracts). 

3. Twelve (12) Primary Classroom Teacher Reductions (due to decreased enrollment since 2020), Approximately $1.5 Million

Average primary class sizes will return to pre-pandemic ranges.

• Pre-COVID
  • 2017-2018 Average Class Size = 23.7
  • 2018-2019 Average Class Size = 23.1

• With COVID relief funds/reserve: 

  • 2019-2022 class size variability due to online, hybrid, return to in-person
  • 2022-2023 Average Class Size = 21.8
  • 2023-2024 Average Class Size = 21.6

• With the 12 reductions:
  • 2024-2025 Average Class Size = 23.3

Didn’t the Local Option Levy we just passed preserve teaching positions?

Yes, it does. Those 90 positions are still preserved. Positions funded through a local option levy, similar to positions funded through a federal or state grant, supplement the general budget allocation we receive each year from the state. Unfortunately, the inadequate state school fund which makes up the general budget drives the need for the reductions. The Superintendent’s webinar on how public school budgets are funded describes these distinctions in more detail.

Are There Outstanding Factors that Could Continue to Impact 2024-25 Budgeting?

• Student enrollment impacts budget revenues and expenditures. Declining enrollment could result in staffing changes. The district is actively monitoring this.  

• The district is currently in contract negotiations with the West Linn-Wilsonville Education Association (WWEA) and Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA). The negotiation discussions in our district are highly professional and mutually respectful. Outcomes from these contract agreements may or may not create the need for additional reductions. 

What’s Next in the 2024-25 Budgeting Process?

Superintendent Ludwig will provide the 2024-25 Budget Message at the May 6 School Board meeting. The WLWV Budget Committee will hold its official Budget Meeting on May 20 to review the details of the proposed budget. Once the Budget Committee provides approval, it will go to the WLWV School Board for adoption at the June 10 meeting.

WLWV Commits to Healthy Financial Shape for Future

Making reductions in order to operate within a budget is challenging on many levels. However, these decisions are necessary to ensure long-term financial stability and academic success for our students. To review budget-related documents or recent updates, please visit the district website. Thank you for your feedback, your patience, and your grace as we continue forward with the 2024-25 budget process.

Sincerely,

Kathy Ludwig, Superintendent