The Medford School District will discuss an anticipated $15-million budget shortfall for the next two school years during its work session Thursday evening.

On the agenda is a budget preview discussing “the scope of the budget challenge for 2024-25 and 2025-26,” according to the meeting agenda on the school board’s website.  

An executive summary of the budget preview lists multiple financial challenges ahead, such as inadequate funding in the face of inflation, increased state mandates and the end of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding from the federal government.

Combined, the district foresees a projected deficit of $15 million in its general fund, according to publicly available meeting documents outlining a budget preview discussion on the matter.

The regular work session agenda can be accessed at meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/1545?meeting=628474.

Assistant Superintendent of Operations Brad Earl is set to present on the budget preview discussion at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in Oakdale Middle School’s room 230, 815 S. Oakdale Ave.

The discussion is a preliminary one. The district will bring a specific plan to its budget committee in early May to begin addressing the deficit as part of creating the fiscal year 2024-25 proposed budget.