Seattle Public Schools

Budget

Budget Development 2024-25

Balancing the Budget and Fiscal Considerations  

Like many school districts across the state, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is facing a significant budget deficit. The district has been working hard to respond to this challenge. We aim to stabilize the SPS budget over time while creating better, stronger well-resourced schools. 

SPS is working to align the number of students enrolled in our district with the number of schools we operate. This may include school closures or consolidations as an option for the 2025-26 school year. 

The recommendation to balance the budget in the coming years includes: 

2024-25  

  • Recommend no school closures for 2024-25. 
  • Explore limited program adjustments. 
  • Seek the implementation of financing tools from the Washington State Legislature 

2025-26 

  • Begin transition to a system of well-resourced schools.
  • Explore using proceeds from the sale or lease of non-school property to address one-time financial challenges (such as the replenishment of the economic stabilization account).

Nov. 15 Well-Resourced Schools and Budget Presentation

Superintendent Brent Jones shared his plan to balance the budget and create a system of well-resourced schools on Nov. 15, 2023 with the Seattle School Board.

Development Timeline for 2024-25 Budget

Topic: Foundation for Process
Feedback: Timeline, Goals, and Principles

September 20, 2023

Topic: Foundation for Process
Feedback: Timeline, Goals, and Principles

Topic: Budget Strategies Preview and Community Engagement Update
Feedback: Board Feedback on General Strategies

October 17, 2023

Topic: Budget Strategies Preview and Community Engagement Update
Feedback: Board Feedback on General Strategies

Topic: Superintendent’s Recommended Strategies Introduce Resolution on Budget

November 15, 2023

Topic: Superintendent’s Recommended Strategies Introduce Resolution on Budget

Action on Resolution on Budget

December 13, 2023

Action on Resolution on Budget

Topic: Update on Budget Development Process

January 17, 2024

Topic: Update on Budget Development Process

Topic: Legislative Update (session ends March 7)
Feedback: Update to Board Direction

March 20, 2024

Topic: Legislative Update (session ends March 7)
Feedback: Update to Board Direction

Topic: Preview of Proposed 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 Budgets

April 3, 2024

Topic: Preview of Proposed 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 Budgets

Topic: Superintendent’s Recommendation for System of Well-Resourced Schools

May 8, 2024

Topic: Superintendent’s Recommendation for System of Well-Resourced Schools

Topic: Budget Recommendation and Public Hearing
Inform: Board Informed on Impact of 2024-25 Budget on 2025-26 and 2026-27

June 10, 2024

Topic: Budget Recommendation and Public Hearing
Inform: Board Informed on Impact of 2024-25 Budget on 2025-26 and 2026-27

Topic: Budget Vote by Board
Action: Board Votes on 2024-25 Budget and 4-Year Forecast

July 2, 2024

Topic: Budget Vote by Board
Action: Board Votes on 2024-25 Budget and 4-Year Forecast

Topic: Review/Assessment of 2024-25 Process
Feedback: Board Feedback on Process

August 28, 2024

Topic: Review/Assessment of 2024-25 Process
Feedback: Board Feedback on Process


Weighted Staffing Standards (WSS)

October 10, 2023 – WSS Meeting Notes

December 14, 2023 – WSS Meeting Notes


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