Salem-Keizer's 3,094 graduates walked away with $123.73 million in scholarships this spring, but one day later, the same school board adopted a $1.12 billion budget that cuts staff and draws on reserves to close funding gaps.

Of the 3,094 graduates from comprehensive and alternative schools, 2,991 earned traditional diplomas and 103 earned GEDs, according to the district's June 8 announcement.

A total of 462 students earned the Oregon Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes proficiency in English and at least one other language. In a district where families speak more than 130 languages, that figure reflects the breadth of the bilingual student population.

Meanwhile, 2,640 students — more than 85% of the graduating class — were enrolled in Career Technical Education classes. For context, 95% of CTE concentrators in the Class of 2025 graduated within four years, per district data released in January 2026. Salem-Keizer has one of the largest CTE program selections in Oregon.

At its Tuesday, June 9 meeting, the board adopted a 2026-27 budget totaling $1,123,552,460. The spending plan includes staff reductions, use of reserves, and targeted investments in early literacy, including separating many combined kindergarten and first-grade classrooms into single-grade rooms.

"We anticipate the coming years of K-12 funding in Oregon will be lean, and though we have made difficult spending reductions, we still have to rely on using our reserves," Superintendent Andrea Castañeda said. "The state is not keeping pace with the rising costs of running schools."

Castañeda cited escalating costs and declining student enrollment as the primary financial pressures driving the reductions.

The district has not yet released a four-year cohort graduation rate for the Class of 2026. For the Class of 2025, Salem-Keizer posted a 79.7% four-year rate — up from 79.4% the prior year but below Oregon's record-high statewide average of 83%.

School Board Chair Cynthia Richardson said of those gains: "In a district as diverse as Salem-Keizer, progress means ensuring more students — across all backgrounds and circumstances — are supported, seen, and able to reach the finish line."

The 2026-27 school year begins Tuesday, September 8 for grades 6 and 9, and Wednesday, September 9 for grades 1-5, 7, 8, and 10-12. Kindergarten students start Wednesday, September 16.

The district is running summer programs including JumpStart Kindergarten for incoming kindergartners, Bold Black and Brilliant for grades 3-8, and K-3 Summer Enrichment at Title I-A elementary schools. Graduation ceremony videos are available on the CC:Media YouTube channel and individual school channels for South Salem, North Salem, and Sprague.