Dear Shoreline School District Community,

At the May 6 School Board meeting, Resolution 2025-8, Approval of 2025-2026 Reduced Educational Program (REP) was adopted by the School Board. For your reference, here are the links to the meeting recording and presentation slides.

Thank you for continuing to engage in this process. As was shared during the meeting and previously, adoption of the REP resolution by the School Board of Directors authorizes the reductions outlined in the REP, and if future budget work allows, positions may be reinstated. I understand how difficult this is and reducing any positions is not a decision made lightly. These decisions have real and lasting impacts on our staff and are felt across our school district. 

We must, however, take the necessary steps to position Shoreline School District for financial stability, which means getting to a place where we can weather the fluctuations and unknowns of K-12 school funding and expenses, and where we can resume the investments in the programs and services that support the high quality of education our students deserve and families expect for their children.

As you know, the legislature passed ESHB 2049 which allows districts to run supplemental levies. The governor has until May 20 to sign/approve the bill. Once officially approved and if passed by voters in the August 5 election, it will be a bright spot in our financial outlook, with approximately $3.8 million potential revenue for the 2025-26 fiscal year. And while this is a large amount, it would not entirely close the $6.5 million gap we have for the upcoming year, nor is passage of the levy guaranteed.

In the coming weeks and months, we will have a clearer picture of our financial outlook for 2025-26 and beyond, including the financial impacts of the recent Washington State legislative session, our ongoing monitoring of the district’s budget, collaboration with our labor partners, and the outcome of the August 5 election (assuming the governor signs ESHB 2049). As always, we will strive to make financial decisions that center student outcome goals identified in the strategic plan and, to the extent possible, make reductions furthest away from students in need of the most support.

We continue to invite staff, students, families, and community members to provide feedback about the budget development process here: 2025-26 Budget Development Survey

I reaffirm my commitment to our community to continue this process with transparency and empathy, and I appreciate the strength, openness, and care for each other that I witness across our school district.

With appreciation,

Dr. Susana Reyes

Shoreline Public Schools Superintendent