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Budget

Budget Materials

Budget Committee and Calendar

This document provides an overview of the 2024-25 Budget Calendar for the fiscal year 2025-26. 

The Budget Committee consists of the members of the school board and an equal number of appointed community members who are electors and residents of the school district. This document includes the current membership. 

This video provides a training for Budget Committee members. 

Budget Committee Meeting Recording and Minutes

Link to April 29, 2025 Budget Committee Meeting Livestream
Link to April 29, 2025 Budget Committee Meeting Minutes

Budget Updates

Like many Oregon school districts, HRCSD is facing significant budget reductions for the 2025–26 school year due to factors such as declining enrollment, the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds, rising inflation, and increased PERS contributions.

In 2024, we managed similar challenges through staff attrition without a Reduction in Force (RIF); however, these financial pressures persist, and early projections based on the Governor’s proposed budget indicate we may need to reduce next year’s budget by approximately $4 million.

Please refer to the updates and budget FAQ posted on this webpage for more information about the 2025–26 budget outlook.

The Budget Cycle

Hood River County School District follows a process each year to develop, review, and adopt the annual budget—centered on transparency, collaboration, and community engagement.

Budget Development (fall and winter):
Each fall, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the Business Office begin preparing a proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This proposed budget involves gathering input from school administrators, staff, and community members, analyzing projected revenues and expenditures, and working collaboratively to build a balanced and responsible budget. Once complete, the proposed budget is shared with the District Budget Committee.

Budget Committee Review (spring):
In the spring, the Budget Committee—made up of School Board members and appointed community representatives—reviews and discusses the proposed budget. This part of the process includes opportunities for public input and feedback. After thoughtful consideration and any needed revisions, the committee votes to approve the budget and forwards it to the School Board for final review.

School Board Adoption (by June 30):
Following Budget Committee approval, the School Board holds a public hearing to provide a final opportunity for community input. The Board then formally adopts the budget by June 30, ensuring the district is financially prepared for the new fiscal year.

Where Our Budget Comes From

The majority of our school district’s general fund revenue comes from the State of Oregon through the State School Fund, which supports day-to-day operations in schools across the state. In addition to state funding, we receive local revenue from property taxes, a voter-approved Local Option Levy, and grant and other funding sources. Federal sources, including Title grants and the National School Lunch Program, contribute to our total revenue. Together, these funds help us support student learning, staff, and school services.

How We Spend Our Budget

Hood River County School District serves about 3,800 students through eight schools, an alternative learning program, and an early learning program. Because our work is people-centered, approximately 80% of our budget goes toward staff—covering salaries, benefits, and other payroll-related costs. The remaining 20% supports essential operations, including services, materials and supplies, contingency funds, and district-level transfers.

How We Make Budget Decisions

Our budget is shaped by several key factors, starting with enrollment. The number of students we have directly affects the funding we receive from the state. More students mean more funding, which helps determine how many teachers and staff we need to support them. We also keep an eye on enrollment throughout the year to make adjustments as needed.

We also focus on student needs. Some schools have higher numbers of students facing challenges, such as those from low-income families, students learning English, or students in special education. These schools may receive extra resources and staff to ensure they have what they need to provide a high-quality education and close any gaps between students.

Lastly, our strategic plan helps guide our budget decisions. The plan outlines our key priorities, like advancing equity, improving student outcomes, and supporting staff. By connecting our budget to these goals, we make sure our resources are being used in the best way to help every student succeed.

Budget Basics: Understanding School Funding in Oregon

Funding for public schools in Oregon comes from a combination of state, local, and federal sources. The primary sources of funding include:

  • State School Fund: Primarily supported by income tax revenues, this is the largest source of school funding in Oregon.

  • Local Property Taxes: Levied by individual school districts, these taxes provide a substantial portion of local revenue.

  • Federal Funds: Designated for specific educational programs such as special education and Title I.

  • Other Local Revenues: These include grants, fees, and donations from individuals or organizations.

The state allocates funding to school districts through the State School Fund (SSF) formula, which aims to ensure equity across districts regardless of local wealth. Key elements of the SSF formula include:

  • Student Enrollment: Base funding is determined by the number of students enrolled in each district.

  • Weighted Student Counts: Additional weight is given to students with greater needs, such as those in special education, English language learners, and students from low-income households.

  • Local Revenue Offsets: The formula takes into account how much a district raises in property taxes and adjusts the state contribution accordingly to balance funding across districts.

While property taxes remain a critical local funding source, the state’s formula ensures that districts with higher property tax revenue receive less from the state to maintain fairness across all communities.

Beyond state and local funding, schools may receive additional financial support from:

  • Federal Grants: Targeted for specific needs like STEM programs or nutrition services.

  • Private Donations and Grants: Contributions from individuals, businesses, or foundations.

  • Fundraising Activities: Organized by schools, PTOs, or community groups.

The process of creating and approving school budgets is collaborative and transparent. District administrators develop the budget with input from staff, families, and community members. The proposed budget is reviewed by a budget committee and ultimately approved by the local school board through a public process.