Thurston County school board approves resolution tied to layoffs. Here’s why
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Board approved reduction-in-force resolution after projected enrollment drop.
- Superintendent cited lower kindergarten counts, rising costs, and funding risk.
- District aims for cuts via attrition first; HR to notify staff by May 15.
For the first time in years, the North Thurston Public Schools board of directors approved a resolution tied to a potential reduction in force because of a projected dip in student enrollment.
The district currently has 14,627 students, although that number could look different as the district marches toward the 2026-27 school year.
The board gathered and voted Tuesday on the resolution at South Bay Elementary in northeast Olympia. Although the resolution generated some public comments and questions from the board, the details of it were not discussed.
However, Superintendent Troy Oliver, who also attended the meeting, notified district staff about the resolution earlier this month. His email to staff was shared with The Olympian.
“Projected enrollment for next school year is down by about 178 students, and enrollment this past year was 117 students below projections,” Oliver wrote. “Costs for insurance, fuel, and other operations continue to rise. We also anticipate some difficult K-12 funding decisions from the state Legislature, and the state already is not fully funding staffing costs. Simply put, revenue is down while costs continue to rise.
“Passing a reduction in force resolution is a legally required step if a school district is considering such action. Some school district boards routinely pass one each spring. Because we have not had such a resolution in many years, I want to be sure you understand what it means.
“We will start with trying to achieve cuts through attrition and non-staff related costs where we can. If we determine a reduction in force is required, Human Resources will communicate with impacted staff by May 15.”
Public comment
Ray Nelson, president of the North Thurston Education Association – the union that represents district teachers – addressed the board during public comment.
“I am not here to contest anything about the resolution or the need for it,” he told the board. “It has been, I believe, almost 20 years since North Thurston Public Schools actually issued reduction-in-force notices. So I’m concluding that this resolution is not being considered irresponsibly.”
He added the union is committed to working with the district and other labor units to minimize the pain of the uncertainty of the process, and its impacts on staff, students and families.
“We have a shared interest in the financial health and stability of North Thurston Public Schools,” Nelson said.
Board comments
Newest school director Jeff Line, who took the oath of office before Tuesday’s meeting, asked about lower enrollment and what accounts for it.
The district’s financial services executive director Heather Larson explained that the drop in enrollment shows up mostly at the kindergarten level because of slower birth rates.
Other factors include students who transfer to other school districts, or those students who drop out of school, Superintendent Oliver said.
Despite a projected dip in enrollment, school board director Gretchen Maliska reminded the meeting audience that for years the district has worked hard to protect its budget.
“We are again a shining example to the districts around us who are facing significant risk processes,” she said.
After the meeting, The Olympian asked Oliver about the likelihood of layoffs.
“I can’t project that, because there are so many variables that are going to happen in the next two months, between retirements, resignations, and Heather (Larson) figuring out the final budget,” he said.
This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 5:10 AM.
