2024-25 Financial Overview

Evergreen Public Schools is one of the largest districts in the state of Washington with about 22,000 students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade in the 2024-25 school year. The district is one of the largest employers in Clark County with about 3,500 employees. EPS has 38 schools, including six high schools, six middle schools, 22 elementary schools and four specialty schools. 

A Board of Directors, with five elected members, oversees the district. During the 2024-25 school year, the district operated on a $444 million budget.

Enrollment and Funding

Enrollment in EPS has declined in each of the past nine years. This decrease has had a significant impact on district revenue, including decreases in state apportionment for basic education as well as categorical funding including state and federal grants. In response to the enrollment decline, inflation and state funding shortfalls, the district has reduced budgeted expenditures four years in a row. In 2025, voters approved two replacement levies. Without the support of these levies the district’s budget shortfall would be significantly greater.

The district is projecting a need to make cuts of about $12 million to $14 million for the 2026-27 school year budget as enrollment continues to decline. Also, the district is projecting its fund balance to fall to 2.5% at the end of the 2025-26 school year. Board policy No. 6022 requires that the district maintain an unrestricted fund balance of 5% of the previous year’s expenditures. Reductions will need to be made to build the fund balance back to the required level.

Student Meals

EPS continues to offer free breakfast and lunch for all students through funding from the United States Department of Agriculture. The district qualified for this grant based on the Community Eligibility Provision.

KinderBridge

KinderBridge is a free early learning program for children who have not had access to early learning experiences prior to entering kindergarten. In 2024-25, the district expanded the program to seven classrooms. 

Cascadia Tech Academy

Cascadia Tech Academy is a Career and Technical learning cooperative of 10 school districts in Southwest Washington. It is expanding and adding programs and satellite campuses to fill growing demand. The school's Pre-Electrical program moved to the Port of Ridgefield, with classes starting there in fall of 2025. The Forest Management program is being offered in Washougal and Carson. The Teaching Academy includes satellite locations in Washougal and Woodland. The Maritime Technology program will be offered at the Port of Vancouver and a Barbering program has been added to the Cosmetology program.