On Tuesday, May 26, Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) budget committee moved to recommend a budget totaling $1,529,330,135 for the 2020-21 school year. The budget was developed before the economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and does not reflect any financial impacts.
Current budget forecasts as of May 20 predict a potential $36 million shortfall for SKPS.
“It’s a grim forecast in the state school fund,” said Superintendent Christy Perry. “We’ll have to watch carefully what happens with the Student Investment Account and Measure 98. But with this approval, we’ll have the flexibility to make adjustments based on final determinations and additional legislative action.”
The district is also monitoring the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Act and what it could mean financially.
Last week, the board of directors voted to approve furlough days for SKPS employees that could result in savings of up to $8 million to carry over to the 2020-21 school year to help save positions and programs.
Next step for the approved budget: the SKPS board will vote on budget adoption on June 9 at 6 p.m. Board meetings are streamed live in English and Spanish on CCTV. The legally required budget deadline is June 30.