SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Public Schools Board of Education adopted a budget last Monday that includes reductions to the district’s Dual Immersion Program and over 30 job cuts in addition to the district’s mid-year layoffs.

Like many other districts across Oregon, SPS continues to face financial challenges driven by reduced revenue, declining enrollment, and rising operational costs. To align staffing with declining enrollment and meet budget requirements, SPS is proposing significant staffing reductions compared to the 2025-26 adopted budget.

During a business meeting last week, SPS board members approved the 2026-27 fiscal year budget. The District is working to address a $7.9 million budget deficit for the upcoming school year, and the proposed budget reflects months of analysis, planning, and community engagement, according to Chakris Kussalanant, SPS communications manager.

The approved budget will leave the district with around 60 fewer full-time equivalent employees than last school year and will end dual immersion for middle and high school students.

According to the District website, the SPS Dual Immersion Program is focused on bilingualism, biliteracy, and multiculturalism. It is designed to develop proficiency in Spanish and English. Children learn core subjects in both languages. It also helps students better understand their native language and strengthens literacy, communication, and critical thinking.

Students can enroll in the program as early as elementary school at Guy Lee Elementary. The program can be continued through Hamlin Middle School and Springfield High School.

Around 25 people provided public comments concerning the budget reductions. Board member Nicole De Graff suggested postponing noncritical discussion items in order to hear everyone’s testimony.

“I do understand we’ll probably be here until 11, but I do want to hear everyone’s comments,” said board member Amber Langworthy.

Springfield students, families, educators, alumni, and community members commented on the District’s proposal to eliminate the secondary Dual Immersion pathway and on the lack of transparency and communication regarding the reductions. Families who chose Springfield schools because of the Dual Immersion Program are now raising concerns about the impact these changes may have.

John Douglas Cornejo Rosales Murray is a dual-immersion student at Springfield High School. He has been in the program since kindergarten and was part of one of the first cohorts.

“Dual immersion is the most beneficial and impactful program in this district. It fosters community and support and so many more important things that it would be too long of a list,” he said.

Many students currently enrolled in the program have spent years working toward becoming bilingual and biliterate, and they believed there would be a pathway extending through middle school and high school.

Maya Olsen, a Springfield High School freshman, has also been enrolled in the Dual Immersion Program since kindergarten. Olsen said she has always considered the ability to speak multiple languages a cool power to have, and that dual immersion made it possible.

“One of my main goals throughout school has always been to get recognized at graduation for my completion of this program,” Olsen said. “To think that my 10 years of working hard and putting in so much effort are for nothing, I only needed to complete three more years, and now I can’t. I don’t even want to imagine what the current 11th graders in dual immersion feel like now because of these cuts, with only one more year left.”

After nearly three hours of routine meeting procedures and discussions, the budget was ready for a vote. Brett Yancey, chief operations officer at SPS, presented the budget to the board.

“It’s recommended that the board adopt the 26-27 budget resolution as presented,” Yancey said. “This is exactly what was approved by the budget committee, and we have not received any further information on the appropriation level, whether we’re getting more money or less money. So we’re bringing this forward as approved by the budget committee, recommended for adoption by the board.”

Director Ken Kohl immediately moved for approval, and De Graff seconded. Chair Jonathan Light had a few comments before calling the vote.

“I have my concerns about whether some of the decisions that have been made are actually reflective of both the information that we took in and the budget forms that we did across the district, and/or even some of the guidance as far as what was given as we moved into the superintendent search,” Light said. “What I heard here tonight causes me concern. And again, it’s just rumors of cuts, but when you tighten your belt, to me, there’s a degree of specificity that needs to happen for me to feel comfortable.”

Yancey explained that the presented budget is a “big picture” look at revenue and expenses and does not seek approval for certain reductions.

“We’re not asking for you to approve the specificity of the reductions tonight, because that isn’t what the resolution is. This is simply appropriation levels,” he said.

Director Bob Brew said he was made aware of the cuts at the same time as the public and that board members are not involved in the schools’ day-to-day operations. He mentioned that board member actions are limited and that former members have been sued for getting too involved.

“One of the things that was a common theme, particularly in the budget forums, was this need to keep cuts away from the classroom. We heard extensive testimony tonight that it doesn’t seem like it’s keeping it away from the classroom,” Light said. “I want to have more confidence going forward that what I vote for is going to follow the parameters that I’ve been hearing.”

Langworthy was also unsure about the proposed budget.

“I don’t feel like I can vote for the budget because there are too many remaining unknowns. The public comments tonight about the changes for the Dual Immersion Spanish Language Program led to questions about how much input, if any, was taken from staff, parents, or the public,” she said.

The budget was approved 3-2, with Langworthy and Light the only no voters. The next SPS board meeting is June 22 at 5:30 p.m. at 640 A St. in Springfield.