The Warrenton-Hammond School Board has adopted a budget for the 2011-12 school year, and so far, the outlook for layoffs isnt as bad as originally expected. 

Because of retirements, resignations and transfers, the district has only needed to make one layoff for next year a licensed teaching position, Interim Superintendent George Lanning said. 

Union negotiations have not been completed yet, he continued.

That could also influence staffing levels, Lanning said. 

The district was challenged with trimming next years budget to make up for an almost $1 million shortfall, and early budget planning showed that as many as nine positions might need to be eliminated. But as the school year came to a close, people shared plans for retirement or moving on. Those jobs will remain unfilled or were removed from the budget entirely, Lanning said. 

In addition, roughly $400,000 of the districts ending fund balance was used to fill the gap.

Were spending down our savings account, Lanning said.

The budget adoption happened at a Tuesday night school board meeting, Lannings last as the districts leader. The districts new superintendent, Mark Jeffery, was also at the meeting. 

Board Chairwoman Debbie Morrow said Lanning has helped the district over the last year, and has been a capable leader. 

He was the life preserver that all of needed last year, Morrow said. 

The meeting was also the last for Linda Dugan, who lost the May election to Mark Carlson. Board member Dennis Warren retired from board service at the meetings conclusion. Warren will be replaced by Isaac Anderson. Dugan and Warren were honored at the meeting for their service. 

In other business, the board acknowledged that six students from South Jetty High?School will be graduating Thursday, and that the school has graduated more students this year than in several years combined.

Morrow said she was proud to hear of their success.

Its like theyve been given another chance to make it, she said.

Also, the members involved in an Oregon Ethics Commission investigation received an update on the Commissions process. They should receive letters from the commission soon, and they have 21 days to reply if they want to request an appeal of the commissions preliminary findings that they violated Oregons public meetings laws.  

The commission met June 3 in Salem, and the vote was unanimous against Dugan, Kelly Simonsen, Len Mossman, Dennis Warren and Darlene Warren.