Walla Walla Schools plan $1.2 million in cuts as enrollment falls; leaders stress long-term forecast

Superintendent Ben Gaynor said Walla Walla Public Schools is using multi-year strategic planning to guide near- and long-term budget decisions as enrollment falls and costs rise.

"I'm wrapping up my first year here ... one of the things I shared in my entry plan was a portion called strategic planning," Gaynor said, introducing Assistant Superintendent Chris Gardea and Director of Fiscal Services Ginette Jeffries. Jeffries told the district that enrollment is the primary driver of state funding: "students equal dollars in terms of state funding." She said the district tracks enrollment monthly and reports figures to the school board.

Jeffries said operating costs are increasing across categories and cited fuel prices as an example that translates directly into higher bus and vehicle expenses. She added the district watches state legislative decisions closely because "a lot of our funding, probably at least 70%, is driven based on legislative decisions." Gaynor and Jeffries said other districts across the state have faced sharper fiscal challenges, but they believe proactive forecasting has helped Walla Walla avoid the worst outcomes.

Assistant Superintendent Chris Gardea described how the district has managed declining enrollment largely through attrition and internal reassignments. "We began that process in December ... looking at positions that come open either through retirement or separation," he said, noting staff moves, retirements and leaves are used to determine openings before hiring. Gardea said the district analyzes grade-to-grade rollups — for example, kindergarten to first grade and 11th to 12th — to see where staffing can be adjusted.

Jeffries said the current budget process has identified about $1.2 million in reductions for the coming school year, which she estimated will amount to roughly 22 staff positions across classified, certificated and administrative roles at all levels. "The challenge ... has been around the unpredictability of what positions, what retirements come up open," she said, describing how the district may reassign staff within buildings or content areas to address vacancies.

Speakers thanked staff and the community for support, with Jeffries noting levy revenue as essential: "we definitely want to thank the voters for their support of the local levy. We honestly couldn't do it without the support of the levy." Gaynor urged continued community engagement and said long-range forecasting — including a 4‑year and 10‑year view — helps the district assess whether it can sustain positions and program commitments.

The district did not announce named layoffs or specific school-level cuts during the briefing; officials said details depend on which retirements and separations occur and on final legislative outcomes. Officials said they will continue to report enrollment and budget updates to the board and invited community questions as the budgeting process continues.