Salem-Keizer School District, (SKPS), is planning a budget reduction for the 2026-27 school year. This is so the district can keep up with declining enrollment and state funding reductions while costs continue to increase. SKPS has been planning budget reductions since fall of 2025.
Community Input
In Feb. 2025, SKPS released a community-wide survey regarding the upcoming budget reductions to get input from the Salem-Keizer community. About 2,000 people completed the survey and their ideals focused on prioritizing students. SKPS plans to reduce $9 million at the district-level administration. This includes supplies, contracted services and more.
SKPS’s goal is to focus on academic progress and prioritize academic resources for students. They will be investing into instructional materials and staff training. They will also invest into early learning such as having more single-grade classrooms at the elementary level.
Future Staffing
In school-based staffing, there is a $14 million reduction. This means that they will reduce 130 full-time equivalent, (FTE). 130 FTE is equal to 130 full-time positions. SKPS is attempting to avoid a large disruption to staffing by focusing on vacancies and administrative transfers. Yet, for classified staff, there will be up to five layoffs.
On May 5, 2026, Superintendent Andrea Castañeda will present the proposed budget plan to the budget committee. Castañeda’s goal is to make reductions transparent to the community by using clear communication through media.
