More layoffs likely for Shoreline schools
Shoreline schools face a $6.5M budget deficit for 2025-26, likely leading to more staff layoffs. A draft layoff plan will be discussed at the April 1st meeting
Facing an estimated $6.5 million budget deficit for the 2025-26 school year, more staff reductions are likely at Shoreline schools. The Shoreline school board will discuss a draft layoff plan at the April 1st meeting.
The district has already put in a hiring freeze for non-classroom positions, and laid off 44 library technicians, custodians, family advocates, maintenance staff, central office staff and administrators. But with 87% of the budget going to staff compensation, more layoffs are likely.
The draft plan currently proposes eliminating 5.5 positions, aiming to save approximately $1.5 million. To meet the targeted $6.5 million in savings, the district will likely need to implement further staff reductions. The exact number of cuts hasn’t yet been decided.
“We recognize the difficulty of this process and are committed to approaching it with care and compassion. We also look forward to working with our labor partners to collaboratively address the school district’s budget challenges,” wrote Superintendent Dr. Susana Reyes.
Shoreline is not alone. School districts across the state have been cutting staff and closing schools because of budget deficits. Nearby, Northshore and Edmonds school districts have both recently laid off staff over budget shortfalls.
Chris Reykdal, State Superintendent of Public Instruction has said that Washington underfunds education by $4 billion a year, but with the state facing a $15 billion budget deficit, it is unclear if the legislature will deliver significant new funding to schools.
More information on the district budget is available online at ssd412.org/budge
The district is soliciting input from the public online at surveymonkey.com/r/SSDBudget25
Information on school board meetings is online at ssd412.org/school-board/attend-a-meeting
The Shoreline PTA has information on advocacy at shorelinepta.org