Salem-Keizer School Board approves $40M budget cut for 2024-25 school year

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Salem-Keizer School Board has unanimously approved $40 million in budget cuts for the 2024-25 school year, ushering in hundreds of staff cuts in the process.

The decision was announced at a school board meeting Tuesday night. With the previously announced $30 million in budget cuts approved in December, this brings the total budgetary shortfall for the next school year to $70 million. 

In addition, 400 staff positions -- including as many as 231 teachers -- are expected to be cut at Salem-Keizer Public Schools, a plan that Superintendent Andrea Castañeda had previously announced to the chagrin of some parents and faculty. 

In public testimony Tuesday night, teachers, parents and students expressed their concerns these cuts will have.

"Our students are the heartbeat of the education system. They rely on the support and guidance from the dedicated professionals," Brian said.

Alex said he sees "many students not only wanting to attend school not seeing they're worthy enough to attend school because of the lack of funding, the lack of resources, the lack of want to attend these schools."

Castañeda said they heard the message clearly -- and agree with it.

"We feel in our own hearts the same feeling -- that these reductions are not right, that this is not the right time, this is not the right place," Castaneda said. "And at the same time we do not have enough money in our system to continue as we are."

She said she will advocate for more state funding in the next session. The Salem-Keizer School Board said if they get that funding they will talk about adding back the lost jobs.

Staff members who will be affected would be notified on May 17, with SKPS not holding classes that day to inform the workers.