Newberg-Dundee schools face monumental budget shortfall.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Portland Tribune) -- Newberg-Dundee Public Schools are in dire financial straits. The question on the minds of administrators and school patrons alike is, how did we get here?

Over the past several weeks the school board, in concert with its budget committee, has repeatedly gathered to answer that question and plot a course toward financial solvency for the district.

The path toward understanding began on May 20 when Jackie Olson, executive director of the Oregon Association of School Business Officials, was called in to address the board at the behest of the district and Heather Bixby, the district’s finance director.

Olson’s message was onerous: At the time of the meeting, the district anticipated a negative fund balance topping $3.77 million and was expected to grow if action wasn’t taken soon.

“I think that it’s important to understand that there are things that you can do, but there is a critical timeline,” she said after examining the district’s books for more than 10 hours. “You are at May 20 and your fiscal year ends June 30.”

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