A pie chart titled "2024-25 Expenditures" showing the breakdown of a school's budget.  In the center, it reads: "Total Staff Portion: 87%."  A large blue section labeled "Teaching Staff & Support – 61.5%" includes teachers, paraeducators, counselors, and health & safety staff.  A lighter blue section labeled "Other Staff – 25.5%" includes technology, school administration & office staff, food service, and transportation staff.  A dark blue section labeled "Supplies & Other – 13%" represents the non-staff portion of the budget.

School districts across the state are facing financial challenges due in part to lower-than-expected state and federal funding. K-12 funding is far below post-McCleary levels of nearly a decade ago. Inflation, fewer students and a state model that does not fully fund all staff nor extracurriculars, music, arts, athletics, and other programs create a challenging environment for Washington schools. The HSD aims to balance its 2026-27 Budget by:

  • Prioritizing cuts furthest from student programs.

  • Reducing rather than eliminating positions wherever possible. To retain valued team members, some staff may be reassigned to new positions in the district.

  • Deferring technology and curriculum replacement cycles.

  • Trimming building and department budgets. Wherever possible, the district will look to cover expenses using grant and levy funding.

  • Scaling back utilities, paper use, tech subscriptions, and non-essential maintenance.

View Superintendent Steve Marshall’s message to staff and families here, and view the new HSD Budget webpage here.