The Lincoln County School District is preparing to cut programs and reduce staff positions as it works to address a $5 million budget shortfall projected for the 2026–27 school year.
District officials say the deficit in the roughly $86 million general fund budget could result in the elimination of up to 19 positions, marking the largest round of staffing reductions the district has faced in more than a decade.
Declining enrollment driving financial pressure
School leaders say falling student enrollment is the main reason behind the district’s financial challenges.
According to data from the Oregon Department of Education, the district lost 151 students this school year and has been losing roughly 100 students annually, most of them in elementary grades.
State funding for school districts is largely based on enrollment numbers, meaning fewer students translate directly into reduced funding.
Officials say factors contributing to the decline include lower birth rates, an aging population in Lincoln County, Oregon, families relocating for employment or housing, and some parents choosing homeschooling.
A recent enrollment study predicts the district could lose nearly 1,000 students over the next decade, about one-quarter of its current enrollment of 4,163 students.
Programs and staffing under review
To balance the budget, the district’s school board has already approved an anticipated reduction in force, which could eliminate:
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10 teaching positions
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3 administrative roles
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6 central office positions
Human resources director Tiana DeVries said the district will attempt to reassign employees to existing vacancies whenever possible in order to avoid layoffs.
Superintendent Majalise Tolan said administrators are working with school leaders to determine which programs and positions should be prioritized as cuts are considered.
District officials also expect to reduce discretionary spending by about 15%.
Community meetings held to discuss budget
School leaders have been hosting public meetings across the district to explain the proposed budget reductions and hear feedback from families and staff.
Meetings have already taken place in Lincoln City, Oregon and Newport, Oregon, with additional sessions scheduled in Toledo, Oregon and Waldport, Oregon.
Tolan said the district wanted to begin discussions early so staff members would not be surprised by potential staffing changes.
Students fear impact of program cuts
One program that may be eliminated is Future Bound, an alternative learning program that serves a small number of middle school students.
At Newport Middle School, seventh-grader Maraya Grove said the program helped her build confidence, develop career ideas and connect with classmates who share similar interests.
Her mother, Kendra Blackwell, said the program provided a supportive environment where students could explore creativity and gain practical life skills.
Some families say losing the program could lead them to consider homeschooling, which could further reduce enrollment in the district.
District leaders weigh difficult decisions
Despite the financial strain, officials say the district remains in relatively stable shape compared with other school systems across Oregon.
For example, Portland Public Schools is dealing with a projected $22.5 million deficit and could face more than 100 layoffs, while other districts in the state are considering school closures.
Still, Lincoln County leaders say difficult choices are unavoidable as they work to balance the budget.
“We want to provide everything for everyone, but that’s not always possible,” Tolan said.
The district’s final budget is expected to be adopted June 9, following several budget committee meetings scheduled throughout May.
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