Budget cuts for 2026-27

BGPS will need to make approximately $20 million in cuts for the 2026-27 school year. Each of these cuts will have effects throughout the district. These cuts are due to a replacement education and operations levy failing in February 2026. The state does not fully pay for basic education, so cuts to essential programs and positions will be necessary. Rising costs and unfunded mandates have also put pressure on the district's budget.

Input on budget cuts

There were multiple ways for people to be involved in the process. We are grateful to those who took the time to provide input.

See the report on the input

Listening sessions

Public listening sessions were held March 4 and March 11. Couldn't make it? You can review the materials from the sessions.

Presentation slides

Handout

Balance the budget

Use a budget simulation tool called
A Balancing Act to adjust costs.

Tip: Review the information on the welcome screen to learn how to use the tool.

Balance the budget

The deadline to submit recommended cuts for consideration was March 18. The simulation is still available, but new submissions will not be regularly reviewed.

ThoughtExchange

A ThoughtExchange survey was available March 4-18.

District financial information

Graphic showing where the money comes from: state general purpose 59.6%, state special purpose 23.6%, federal special purpose 6.5%, local taxes 6.6% (13% with educational levy), local nontax 3.4%, other sources 0.3%, other entities 0.1%. Total funding: $224,437,769

Budgeted operating expenses for the 2025-26 school year.

District's budget

Graphic showing where the money goes: 59.6% teaching activities, 12.6% teaching support, 16.9% other support, 5.8% school building administration, 5% central administration (includes administrative support). Total operating costs: $239,169,259

2025-26 budget with educational programs and operations levy funding for half of the school year. The levy ended in December 2025 and no replacement levy has been approved. The district also is using $14.8 million of its fund balance (savings) in the 2025-26 school year.

Budget cut timeline

Summer 2026: Cuts to staff positions take effect April 2026: Board approves action to reduce staff positions March 2026: Listening sessions and public input February 2026: Proposition 10 fails. This is the third consecutive replacement levy failure. December 2025: The education and operations levy approved in 2021 expires. Due to the levy failures in February and April 2025, there is no replacement levy to take effect.