TOPPENISH, Wash. – The Toppenish School District is cutting multiple positions and reducing salaries due to a $8.6 million budget shortfall for the 2024-25 school year.
A press release from TSD says two central office administrative positions, three school administrative positions, 10 teachers, two graduation specialists, seven classified staff positions and one supervisor will be cut. 24 other positions were reduced due to retirements and resignations.
All central office administrators and all school and department administrative staff will also have reduced salaries and benefits.
TSD says there are several reasons for the shortfall, including grant funding not coming through for a new preschool which required the district to dip into funding reserves to pay for, student enrollment not rebounding after COVID-19 and Toppenish property values increasing significantly.
A budget advisory committee gathered input several months ago and found reducing positions was the best option to make up for the shortfall, noting that over 80 percent of the district’s budget was being spent on staff.
TSD provided a final statement in its press release, saying:
“This is painful work, and these are painful conversations to have to reach this level of budget reduction, but it’s necessary for the District to move forward and continue to serve students in a meaningful way. We welcome parents, staff, and community members to reach out with questions or concerns. The best way to stay informed is to attend upcoming school board meetings. The next school board meeting is April 23 from 7-9 p.m. at the District Office.”
