Budget Restoration: Moving from Input to Focused Review

Last year, the Puyallup School District began a multi-year Budget Restoration process to address ongoing financial challenges and build a more sustainable financial future. Through that work, the district made approximately $15 million in reductions and other cost offsets for the 2026-2027 school year. 

That work continues. 

We are inviting staff, families, and community members who are interested in contributing to this work to complete a brief Budget Restoration Committee Interest Form by Friday, October 9.

This fall, Budget Restoration committees will take a closer look at specific areas of district operations and identify opportunities for greater efficiency, sustainability and alignment with district priorities. The committees will review information, consider potential options, and develop recommendations to help inform planning for the 2027-2028 budget.  

Six committees will conduct focused reviews this fall. The structure and membership of each committee will vary based on the nature of the work. All six committees will include opportunities for staff, family, and community input, with four committees including community members directly in the committee work and two gathering input through other engagement opportunities. 

• Instructional Materials and Course Offerings: Curriculum adoptions, course-of-study review, instructional materials, and Dual Language programming
• Transportation: Bus access cards, bus washing, route efficiencies, and staffing
• Administrative Staffing: Building administrative staffing, administrative substitutes, central office staffing and functions 
• Digital Resources: Enterprise systems and software, including Schoology, Focus modules, ParentSquare, subscriptions and databases 
• Facilities and Specialized Programs: CTE transition, Innovative & Flexible Programs, summer school programming, and PHS pool 
• Athletics and Activities: Athletic offerings, transportation, equipment and vendor costs

Each Budget Restoration committee has been structured based on the nature of the work being reviewed. Four committees – Instructional Materials and Course Offerings, Transportation, Digital Resources, and Athletics and Activities – will benefit directly from the experiences and perspectives of students, families, staff and community members who interact with these services and programs. 

Reviews related to Administrative Staffing and Facilities and Specialized Programs will initially be conducted by district leaders and staff because they involve detailed analysis of organizational structures, staffing operations, and other internal information.  

Interested in Participating? 

We are inviting staff, families, and community members who are interested in contributing to this work to complete a brief Budget Restoration Committee Interest Form by Friday, October 9.

Meeting schedules and time commitments will vary by committee. Completing the form indicates your interest and availability; it does not commit you to participation. Committee leads will follow up with interested participants regarding meeting dates, expectations and next steps.  

Committees will begin this fall with recommendations provided to the Superintendent by January 2027. 

• Complete the Committee Interest Form here by Friday, October 9.

• Learn more about the district’s ongoing Budget Restoration work here.   

Budget restoration is a multi-year process. This next phase builds on broad community input through focused review, bringing staff, families and community members together with district leaders to examine specific areas of district operations and help inform recommendations for the 2027-2028 budget.