BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Bellingham Public Schools (BPS) is reducing dozens of positions as it continues to grapple with a multimillion-dollar budget deficit.

BPS spokesperson Dana Smith says the district plans to reduce around 60 certified staff positions. Half of the cuts will be made through attrition, such as not replacing staff after they leave or retire.

Smith attributed 22 of the reductions to lower enrollment and another 15.5 due to the district’s changing high school schedule.

The rest of the reductions are being made to account for the district tightening up in areas that include PE, music, libraries and counseling. The counseling changes specifically will be made at the elementary and middle school levels.

It comes as Superintendent Greg Baker says the district is facing a $7.5 million shortfall for next year, attributing the deficit to shrinking funding from the state.

Meanwhile, BPS says it won’t be closing elementary schools this coming fall. Baker announced on Tuesday, March 31, that he made the decision following extensive feedback from the community.

The district’s Facilities Planning Task Force is expected to release its budget-saving recommendations this spring. Those could still include one or more elementary school closures, but they wouldn’t take place until summer 2027 at the earliest. The district recently outlined some of its initial changes in the past week.

With continued concern from district families, BPS is hosting a series of community learning sessions in April. It will give families a chance to ask questions and learn more about the process behind the task force’s decisions.

The following meetings will take place at the District Office on 1985 Barkley Boulevard and attendees are encouraged to RSVP.

Monday, April 13: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 15: 12 – 1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21: 5:30-6:30 p.m.