2025-26 Budget Development

2025-26 Recommended Budget

A public hearing on the 2025-26 Recommended Budget was held on June 4, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence.

Read the 2025-26 Recommended Budget

Budget Highlights

Balanced Budget

Seattle Public Schools’ General Fund Operating Budget for 2025-26 is $1.35 billion.
This budget eliminates the projected $104 million deficit for 2025-26.
Over 70% of the General Fund is allocated for Teaching and Teaching Support activities.
All schools will remain open for the 2025-26 school year.
No reductions are made to current class sizes, programs, assistant principals, librarians, or school discretionary funding. However, some schools may see fluctuations in their staffing due to enrollment changes.
An additional $2.3 million is invested in safety and security.
This budget was developed through seven public study and engagements sessions with the Board.

Closes the Budget Gap for 2025-26 by:

Extending a portion of the Interfund Loan for at least one more year (repaying up to $17.6 million as part of the 2025-26 budget proposal)
Using the 2023-24 unrestricted fund balance
Deferring repayment to the Economic Stabilization Account (“Rainy Day Fund”)
Increasing State and local revenue
Reducing Central Office budgets further

Capital Budget

Allocates over $530 million for facility improvements and development of state-of-the-art spaces for student learning.
Alki Elementary School, Rainier Beach High School’s Performing Arts Center, and Ingraham High School’s Construction Trades Skills Center are scheduled to open by Fall 2026.
Work will also continue at Aki Kurose Middle School, Rainier Beach Athletic Fields, and the Memorial Stadium replacement project.
Preservation of existing buildings remains a district priority as postponing needed repairs impacts our students’ learning environment.

Looking Ahead

The District anticipates an on-going resource gap and is working to stabilize the system through structural changes and increased resources. Collaboration with the community task force on the Strategic Plan and Resource and Strategy will continue to inform long-term budget planning.

Budget Development Timeline

January: Superintendent’s preliminary budget proposals for 2025-26 as directed by Educational Program Resolution; Legislative Session begins
January – June: Internal technical budget processes
January – June: Strategic Plan Task Force and Advisory Work
February: Capital and EP&O Levies on the ballot
February – March: School funding is determined by student enrollment projections for next year. Schools work with their communities to plan budgets that match their continuous improvement plans.
April: Legislature adopts 2025-27 Biennial Budget
May: Budget study session to preview the Superintendent’s budget recommendation pending the outcome of the legislative session.
June & July: The School Board is scheduled to review the final budget recommendation in June and is scheduled to vote on a final budget in July.

How can families, staff, and community stay informed and participate in the budget development process?

Attend School Board meetings in-person or remotely. View the School Board meeting calendar.
Stay informed about legislative activities.
Engage with your school and department leaders.

Operating Budget Development Documents

August 29, 2024: Budget Study Session
September 18, 2024: Budget Study Session
December 18, 2024: Board adopts Educational Program Resolution per Board Policy No. 0060
January 22, 2025: Budget Study Session
February 26, 2025: Board Engagement
May 21, 2025: Budget Study Session
June 4, 2025: Introduce Recommended Budget for 2025-26 & Public Hearing
July 1, 2025: Action on 2025-26 Recommended Budget

Schools’ Budget Development Documents

School Budget Development Instructions 2025-26 (“Gold Book”)
2025-26 School Allocations (“Purple Book”)

Weighted Staffing Standards (“WSS”) Workgroup

Per district policy, the Weighted Staffing Standards “WSS” workgroup meets each year and makes recommendations to the Superintendent about potential changes for the following year’s direct school funding.

WSS Meeting Minutes

Budget Development Questions?

Due to the high volume of questions we may get on this topic, we will not be able to respond to every question individually.

We will create an FAQ on this webpage that will be updated with the most common questions. Please submit your questions for consideration and we will do our best to get all questions answered on the FAQ soon. Thank you for your understanding!

Submit Budget Development questions via Let’s Talk