WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Two Whatcom County school districts are considering staffing cuts in the wake of budget shortfalls.

The Northern Light reports the Blaine School District is facing a $2.5 million deficit for the 2024-25 academic year.

Blaine Superintendent Christopher Granger said during a Monday school board meeting that letters were sent out to staff members Thursday notifying them of potential layoffs. Last year, the district laid off 50 staff members due to similar budget issues. A total number of impacted staff in Blaine has not yet been determined.

At a separate meeting Thursday night, the Mount Baker School District approved laying off 25 members of their full-time staff members. That would save the district about $3 million, but their financial woes are far from over.

Cascadia Daily News reports that in their situation, Mount Baker needs to accrue a total of $1.2 million in its general fund balance by the end of this year. Superintendent Phil Brockman said that number wouldn’t be reached for at least two years.

Both districts have been grappling with declines in enrollment since 2019.