Budget

Like many school Districts throughout the state and nation, the Bremerton School District is facing a budget deficit due to rising costs, declining enrollment, the expiration of COVID-19 funding, and insufficient state education funding.

The District budgeted to operate “in the red” this school year, using reserve funds to subsidize the budget by approximately $2.6 million. We have worked to reduce costs leading up to and during this school year. However, as we have progressed through the school year our operating deficit is trending toward $3 million for the year.  We cannot afford to continue spending our reserves by operating “in the red” again in 2025-26 so we are taking steps to address the budget deficit.

The Bremerton School District gets money to pay for the costs of running a school district from a few primary sources: the state (71%), the federal government (13%), local taxpayers via levies (15%), and grants and other sources (1%).  The primary way that the state determines how much money a school district gets is based on the number of students enrolled in that school district. If there is an increase in enrollment, funding goes up. If there is a decrease in enrollment, funding goes down. Our enrollment has been declining since the 2015-16 school year and this decline was exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Current enrollment is 200 under budget for the 2024-25 school year. Enrollment projections for 2025-26 are expected to decline slightly again.

We have worked to reduce costs leading up to and during this school year, and are continuing to cut costs as we budget for 2025-26. 

Non-employee related costs in the District are referred to as MSOCs (Materials, Supplies and Operating Costs), and comprise 20% of the budget. These expenses have been reviewed, on a department by department basis, and cost reductions are being made where possible for the 2025-26 school year. 

The majority of Bremerton School District’s budget (80 percent) is personnel - and that means that addressing a budget deficit inevitably involves difficult decisions regarding staffing.  We have managed the majority of the necessary staffing reductions through attrition. However, even with attrition, we've also had to reduce staff at schools and at the District’s administrative office.  

Nineteen teaching positions in the District have been impacted by displacements (Displacements occur when a position is reduced or eliminated and the impacted staff member is moved to fill another position within the District).  Per our union agreements, displaced staff are offered transfers within the District to fill vacancies for which they are qualified. If there are no vacancies available for an impacted staff member, the School Board is asked to issue a resolution calling for a Reduction in Force (RIF).    

On April 17, the board passed a RIF resolution for a total of 3.6 staff members, which included 2.0 FTE from the administrative office and 1.6 teaching FTEs (.8 of which was due to a CTE programmatic change - see below). The savings from the reduction of these positions is more than $500,000.

In addition to the 2.0 District office administrative FTE that are part of the RIF resolution, there is also the attrition of another administrative position at the District office due to retirement, and another central office support staff reduction due to resignation. These positions will not be filled and the duties will be spread across other administrative positions at the District office.  This is a total reduction of 4.0 central office FTEs for 2025-26.

The majority of Bremerton School District’s budget (80 percent) is personnel - and that means that addressing a budget deficit inevitably involves difficult decisions regarding staffing.  Budget reduction measures are never easy and staffing reductions are always a last resort after other options have been explored.  Decisions are made after extensive discussions with District and school leadership regarding potential cuts or potential structural changes to address the budget shortfall. The District’s priority is to keep cuts furthest from the classroom when possible.

We’ve had to reduce staffing in our secondary schools to align with lower student enrollment.  With the goal of minimizing the reduction of classroom teaching positions, the decision was made to have Assistant Principal (AP) Mitchell Judie take on the athletic director responsibilities starting next year.  This reduces FTE (staffing) at BHS without reducing classroom teachers, and saves the District more than $140,000.   

Historically, the athletic director has not been a full-time position. Many of Mr. Judie’s current AP responsibilities will be reassigned and his primary role will be overseeing athletics. It is important to note that this decision is budgetary, not disciplinary or performance-based, and the athletic director was offered a full-time teaching position in the district.

No.  For the 2025-26 school year, both jazz band and choir will still be available. 

• Jazz Band will be offered as a class during the regular school day for elective or an arts credit.  

• Students will have the opportunity to participate in Jazz Choir which will be offered as an extracurricular club. 

Historically, jazz band and jazz choir classes have been offered to a limited number of students as “zero-hour” classes.  We will no longer be offering zero-hour courses at Bremerton High School due to concerns about equity, transportation barriers, attendance, and extensive research that indicates that early start times negatively impact the health and academic success of high school students.

No.  Bremerton High School's pottery class is undergoing a programmatic change to better align with our goals for Career and Technical Education (CTE). While previously offered as a CTE course taught by a CTE-certified teacher, we are working to ensure that all CTE courses prepare students for high-demand careers. Pottery will continue to be offered, but it will now be taught by a certificated art teacher who will move to BHS from MVMS, and students will receive an art credit for the course.

No.  There has been some misinformation circulating that these budget cuts have been made due to cost overruns on the Mountain View Middle School sports complex. This is not accurate. That project was funded by a capital levy approved by taxpayers in February of 2022.  The project was completed on time, and on budget. 

The Bond program, including the construction of the two new schools,  is funded by the voter-approved February 2024 bond. 

Capital funds can not be used to fund teacher salaries.

The District budgeted to operate “in the red” this school year, using reserve funds to subsidize the budget by approximately $2.6 million. We have worked to reduce costs leading up to and during this school year. However, as we have progressed through the school year our operating deficit is now approaching approximately $3 million for the year.  We cannot afford to continue spending our reserves by operating “in the red” again in 2025-26. 

Per Board policy, we are required to maintain a fund balance of 5% (approximately $5 million). The District must also maintain reserves for cash flow. The District has ongoing expenses, including salaries, utilities, and supplies, and our reserves ensure that we have enough cash on hand to meet these obligations throughout the year, as revenue is received at varying times.