Connecting With the Superintendent

Dear Forest Grove School District Families,

As we enter the final stretch of the school year, I want to share some important updates regarding our fiscal planning and an opportunity for our students this coming summer.

Last night, I officially presented the 2026–2027 Proposed Budget to the Budget Committee. You can view a recording of the meeting on our YouTube channel.

Reducing our expenditures is challenging. However, it is necessary to address a structural deficit created by a decade-long trend of declining enrollment, which is the primary funding mechanism for Oregon public schools. By taking these steps now, we position Forest Grove School District for stability as we navigate several more years of projected enrollment and revenue loss.

At our core, an unshakeable and common belief holds us together: every child matters and deserves a great school where they can learn and grow. This belief guides our difficult financial decisions, ensuring we protect the instructional core and student safety, even in lean times. I encourage you to review the proposed budget and watch the meeting recording for more information about our financial plans.

Looking ahead to summer, I am happy to share that Forest Grove School District is one of the districts awarded a State Summer Learning Grant. This allows us to offer robust summer programs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

It is important to note that these are restricted funds. This money is legally designated by the state only for summer learning purposes and cannot be used to close our General Fund budget deficit.

Our vision for this summer is "Growing Students & Staff Together". We are being intentional with these resources by providing our educators with professional development in high-impact strategies, such as the science of reading, math discourse, and language strategies, which they will then translate into immediate practice with students in our summer classrooms.

• Registration: Please look for specific registration information coming soon from your student’s principal.

• High School Programs: Our high school efforts are specifically focused on supporting a strong start for incoming 9th graders and ensuring our older students remain on track for graduation. High school staff will reach out directly to families of students who will benefit most from these programs.

While we all feel the readiness for a summer break, we still have four weeks of critical learning ahead of us. A sense of belonging is a powerful and positive force, and that sense of connection is strengthened when students are present in their classrooms. Please support your student in attending school every day so we can finish this year well.

Even in seasons of change, our commitment remains the same: Safe and welcoming schools that provide the rigorous instruction necessary for a choice-filled life.

With gratitude,

Dr. Suzanne West