Message from the Superintendent: Final Revisions to the Spending Reduction Plan Proposal

Papers with budget spreadsheets and charts. “Update” in text.

Mar 10 2025

Dear Bellevue School District Community,

Since the February 6, 2025, School Board meeting when I announced the initial $20 million spending reduction proposal, I have been incredibly moved by the reaction of our community. As impactful as the spending reductions are, our community has been united in their support of the need to stabilize our finances. All the feedback I’ve read from the surveys, the emails, and the everyday conversations with staff, families, and students, I’ve been struck by everyone’s commitment to support the thriving of one another and our district.

This past Thursday, March 6, 2025, we had a Special Board Meeting with extended public comment so that the community could share their input in person (or online) regarding the spending reduction plan. This marked the last step in our feedback phase. I want to thank everyone who shared their perspectives with us. In particular, I want to shout out the students who came to public comment and shared with such courage and heart how BSD mental health supports have impacted them. Your stories of overcoming struggles and the importance of mental health supports in school were deeply compelling.

In the final revisions to the 2025-26 Spending Reduction Plan proposal, I summarize what we heard from the community during the community feedback phase and then share the revisions to the spending reduction plan based on that feedback. In addition, I reiterate the programs and services that aren’t impacted, share detailed numbers on how much we’re saving by category, remind us of our restoration plan priorities if additional funding comes from our state legislature, explain how we used Procedure 0130P — Equity Driven Decision Making — to guide our process, and, finally, project our path forward.

At the March 13, 2025, School Board meeting, the School Board will be voting on this final, revised proposal. Thank you again to the BSD community for leaning in together to tackle these challenges and chart a stronger future for our district.

In service of our community,