Notes: Siletz Valley Charter School 2025-26 Budget Committee
1. March 12 Work session
Board appoints Budget Committee
1. Christina Bushnell - Lead
2. Tracey Viar - Board Representative 1
3. Clifton Berry - Board Representative 2
4. Superintendent Redlinger - Advisory to Board
Discussed the need for planning the first meeting. More information was needed about
the members’ schedules, so the first meeting was not set up at that time.
2. April 21
First Budget Committee Meeting
In attendance:
Christina Bushnell - Lead, Tracey Viar - Board Representative 1, Clifton Berry - Board
Representative 2, Superintendent Redlinger - Advisory to Board (D. Barnes - Admin
Intern)
Learned about the current situation in the state, situation in the school (declining
enrollment makes staffing the next biennium a challenge), reviewed potential legislation
that are considered budget disrupters, and reviewed board goals.
Learned about Budget Categories, Revenue by Fund, Projected Revenue, and
Assumptions (pending ending fund balance, increased costs, legislative revenue
changes, state grant allocations and requirements, and new legislative requirements.)
The committee recommended a Staff Survey about benefits and asked to
review scenarios based on staff feedback, and lastly, continue to watch
updates from the legislature.
Potential Disruptor Overview: All state funded schools must measure
outcomes and improve outcomes each year in Mathematics and English
Language Arts.
Poor academic performance and lack of growth may lead to loss
of control over 25% of the state funds AND the Student
Investment Account (SIA) funds, (guided spending from the state
required in the following year.
New measures of interim academic measures are required and
must be implemented next year. (Reading, Writing, Math)
3. April 24
Second Budget Committee Meeting
In attendance: Christina Bushnell - Lead, Tracey Viar - Board Representative 1, Clifton
Berry - Board Representative 2, Superintendent Redlinger - Advisory to Board (D.
Barnes - Admin Intern)
Learned about revenue sources, and reductions due to charter status (per student
allocation less 20% for each K-8 student, and less 5% for each 9-12.) Charter schools
DO NOT receive state help with PERS costs. LCSD pays 0 (LCSD has a bond that
keeps the rate low) and our school pays 30% for PERS for our staff members'
retirement. An important benefit but very expensive. Overall package available to staff
explained.
The committee suggested a Staff Survey be completed.
4. April 29
Third Budget Committee Hearing
In attendance: Christina Bushnell - Lead, Tracey Viar - Board Representative 1, Clifton
Berry - Board Representative 2, Superintendent Redlinger - Advisory to Board (D.
Barnes - Admin Intern)
Survey Results shared with the committee. The Budget Committee requested that the
draft budget be revised with staff recommendations included and shared at the May 5th
meeting.
5. May 5
Fourth Budget Committee Meeting
Christina Bushnell - Lead, Tracey Viar - Board Representative 1, Clifton Berry - Board
Representative 2, Superintendent Redlinger - Advisory to Board (D. Barnes - Admin
Intern)
Changes included: increase school calendar days, step increases, some reductions in
benefits.
Staff reductions required due to decreased enrollment at elementary, middle and high
school.
6. May 7th
Budget Committee Public Comment Meeting
In attendance: Christina Bushnell - Lead, Tracey Viar - Board Representative 1, Clifton
Berry - Board Representative 2, Superintendent Redlinger - Advisory to Board (D.
Barnes - Admin Intern)
Among suggestions received:
The new Alt Program should NOT be started since staff positions
are being cut and/or not refilled.
Add PD/Grade days back into the Calendar - teachers need these
days.
7. May 12th
Fifth Budget Committee Meeting
In attendance: Christina Bushnell - Lead, Tracey Viar - Board Representative 1, Clifton
Berry - Board Representative 2, Superintendent Redlinger - Advisory to Board (D.
Barnes - Admin Intern), Will Worman, Board Chair
Reviewed teacher recommendations and built them into a revised draft budget.
Options Program removed from budget, will be reviewed for the 2026-27
budget.
8. May 15th
6th and Last Budget Committee Meeting:
In attendance: Christina Bushnell - Lead, Tracey Viar - Board Representative 1, Clifton
Berry - Board Representative 2, Superintendent Redlinger - Advisory to Board (D.
Barnes - Admin Intern), Will Worman - Board Chair
The committee Discussed Revised Budget, then voted to move it to the full board for
approval. The revised Budget included staffing levels recommended at each level.
The work of the Budget Committee is concluded.
