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QuickTake:
In addition to 110 more personnel cuts, the board voted to move the Family School at Camas Ridge Community School and adjust the middle school schedule from seven to six periods.
Eugene School District 4J school board members approved the last $9.88 million in district budget cuts at the Feb. 4 board meeting, with six board members voting yes and board member Maya Rabasa abstaining due to a conflict of interest.
The vote means the district can cut up to 269 full-time staff members at the end of the year.
Phase Three of Superintendent Miriam Mickelson’s budget reduction plan included up to 110 more staffing reductions across all school levels in addition to the up to 159 already approved. The board also voted to move the alternative elementary Family School with Camas Ridge Community School and eliminate an elective period from the middle school schedule.
The 4J district is facing a $30 million budget shortfall caused by declining enrollment, increasing employee costs and the end of COVID-relief money. Last year, the board decided to spend $26.5 million of the district’s reserves to maintain staff added with COVID-relief dollars.
“The savings are gone,” board member Morgan Munro said. “We have to make payroll next year. We cannot be in a situation where we’re midway through the year, we look up and realize, oh no, there’s no more money.”
Family School, which Mickelson originally considered closing, will move from its current, stand-alone building on Crest Drive to Camas Ridge next year. That will save the district $1.26 million, plus the savings from reducing an administrator position.
Camas Ridge’s building is relatively new, opening in 2024, but is only at 58% of its capacity. Family School students will make the school’s operation more sustainable. Parents from both schools have been supportive of the co-location, but some have expressed frustration about losing the current principals.
Lindsay Selser, a Camas Ridge parent, urged Mickelson to continue engaging families as the co-location unfolds.
“I specifically ask that you invite our BIPOC families in to learn more about what they need to feel safe now and into the future,” she said.
The middle school schedule change was supported by two-thirds of middle school educators in a poll. Sebastian Bolden, director of secondary schools, said if district leaders decided to keep the seven-period schedule, they would still have to cut 25 full-time positions. Teachers were worried about burnout from larger class sizes and additional classes or subject areas added to their workload.
Community members, however, were against the loss of an elective, especially for students who go to special education, English language learning or language immersion classes during an elective period.
The budget cuts have caused an outpouring of sadness and anxiety during public comment over the last two months. But many community members have simultaneously expressed gratitude for the district’s transparency.
“Thank you, Dr. Mickelson,” said Selser as she wrapped up her comment. “Your thoughtful leadership through this difficult and unprecedented budget reduction process has been a breath of fresh air.”
