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 Dear Parents and Staff Members,
Just like families have noticed groceries and gas costing more, our district and others around us are feeling the same pressure. The money—property tax revenue—coming in isn’t growing the way it used to, but the cost of educating students keeps rising.
When that happens at home, families don’t stop meeting their basic needs, but they do have to make thoughtful choices about what to keep, what to scale back, and what can wait. Our district is facing a similar moment.
Last night, the Board of Trustees heard from Orenda Education who took a close look at our programs and services to help inform our decisions. Read more about their findings below.
Our financial reality
Today, MVWSD is spending approximately $11 million more than we receive. This means we must make careful, responsible choices—protecting what matters most for students, even if it requires pulling back in other areas. We are tightening our belts not because we are failing, but because the financial conditions around us have changed. Read more about our budget, FAQs, and past presentations here.
To plan for a stable future, the Board directed staff to prepare for $9 million or more in potential reductions for the coming year. Our guiding priority is clear: protect what matters most for students, even if that means making difficult trade-offs elsewhere.
While we have been discussing our fiscal challenges since September when we first received the news of low property tax growth revenue, we know the pace of recent analysis can feel fast. That urgency reflects a reality we cannot ignore: this problem is not temporary. If we delay action, deficit spending compounds and makes future cuts deeper and more disruptive.
Why Orenda’s work is a milestone
To ensure decisions are grounded in evidence, the district engaged Orenda Education to conduct a comprehensive, independent review of our programs and services. Their work included:
- Visits to every school site and the District Office
- Surveys of parents and staff
- Focus groups with representative staff
- Analysis of student achievement and demographic data
Orenda presented their findings to the Board last night, marking an important milestone in this process. Their report confirms that to improve outcomes and remain financially stable, we must focus limited resources on the highest-impact strategies for students and examine programs that may no longer be sustainable. → Click here to read the full Orenda report.
Orenda’s findings do not make budget reductions decisions for us—but they provide a clear, research-based lens to guide the difficult choices ahead.
Community voice matters
Orenda’s report is one important data point, alongside feedback we’ve received from parents and staff this fall about budget priorities and potential reductions. That input has already shaped our thinking about the budget and will continue to do so.
After specific reduction options are shared at the Jan. 15 Board of Trustees meeting, we will again ask parents and staff to provide feedback. We believe decisions are stronger when shaped by many voices in our community.
What comes next
- January 15: Staff will present budget reduction options to the Board, reflecting input from educators, school leaders, families, and Orenda.
- After January 15: Parents and staff will be invited to share feedback on potential budget reductions. Look for a follow-up survey this month.
- January 29: Final recommendations impacting the 2026–27 budget are expected to come to the Board for action.
Looking ahead
Because 83% of our expenses are staffing, we anticipate most reductions will be in this area. We anticipate reducing District Office staffing by approximately 15%, which aligns with a common suggestion in parent and staff feedback. We are committed to keeping reductions as far from the classroom as possible.
Rather than closing schools or increasing class sizes—actions that would directly weaken core instruction—we are focusing reductions on programs and positions that primarily address challenges after they arise. With small schools and already low average class sizes, MVWSD is well-positioned to strengthen instruction as the most cost-effective way to improve academic achievement, behavior, and attendance.
These conversations are difficult, and change will take time. MVWSD will look different in the future—but our commitment to students remains unchanged. Thank you for engaging thoughtfully, asking hard questions, and continuing to partner with us as we work to keep our district strong.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent
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