Furloughs 2025-26
Updated March 31, 2026
For detailed information and frequently asked questions about furlough days, how paychecks will be impacted, retirement options, and more, please see below, by employee group. All employee furlough days are outline on this chart.
What is a furlough day?
A furlough day is a scheduled unpaid day off for employees. During furlough days, employees do not report to work and do not receive pay for that day. Furloughs are used as a temporary cost-saving measure.
Why is PPS implementing furlough days?
PPS is facing significant financial pressures that require immediate cost-saving measures. Furlough days are a temporary strategy to reduce costs while minimizing more permanent actions such as layoffs or program reductions. By spreading the savings across the organization, PPS can generate meaningful savings while continuing to prioritize services for students.
Are the Superintendent and executive leaders included in the furlough plan?
Yes. The furlough plan applies across the Superintendent, executive leaders, and central office leadership. Under the progressive structure, those in the highest salary ranges - including executive leadership - will have the greatest number of furlough days.
If an employee is laid off, will their unpaid furlough days be reimbursed?
Yes. In the unfortunate event that an employee is later laid off, the District will reimburse them for any furlough days they have already taken.
There are student and school events scheduled for furlough days. What will happen with those events?
Most end of school year events are being rescheduled. The district is working with school and union leaders to support multiple events such as return from Outdoor School, Linkup, and Earthstock. More information coming.
Employee Furlough Information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
ATU
ATU & PPS Furlough MOU 2025-2026
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
When is my furlough day? May 1, 2026
School was originally in session on June 8 and 9 therefore I was scheduled to work, but now there is no school, will I lose pay? June 8 and 9 are still work days for ATU - your supervisor will provide you with training and other tasks for those days.
How will my paycheck be impacted by the furlough day? The furlough day will be reflected on the May paycheck.
May employees take additional voluntary furlough days? Yes, with advance approval by Human Resources. Voluntary furlough will be reflected on the paycheck associated with the date the furlough was taken.
If I submit retirement paperwork by April 3, effective the end of the 2025-26 school year, will I be exempt from the furlough day? Yes. That means on the day you’d otherwise be scheduled to furlough, you’ll continue to work and be paid. Your supervisor will connect with you regarding your assignments for that day.
If I had already submitted retirement paperwork, effective for the end of the 2025-26 school year, or I am working the bubble, am I also exempt from the furlough day? Yes. Human Resources has tracked this information. On the day you’d otherwise be scheduled to furlough, you’ll continue to work and be paid. Your supervisor will connect with you regarding your assignments for that day.
Will the furlough day have an impact on my benefits (e.g., health insurance or retirement)? No.
Will my leave accruals change (sick, family, personal, etc.)? No. Accrual rates for leaves remain the same.
Do I get to choose when to take my furlough day? No. Employees will follow a set furlough schedule. Having a common schedule helps reduce disruption to district operations, supports continuity of services, and allows teams to plan ahead.
Because furlough days may vary across employee groups, a small number of employees may be asked by their supervisor to adjust a furlough day in order to maintain needed coverage. We expect those situations to be limited and used only when necessary.
How was the furlough schedule determined? The schedule was designed with the goal of balancing savings with fairness and equity. Employees in lower salary ranges will have few furlough days, while higher-paid employees will have more furlough days.
Can I use paid leave time instead of taking an unpaid furlough day? No. Furlough days must be taken as unpaid leave and cannot be replaced with paid leave such as vacation or sick time. This ensures the district achieves the intended cost savings.
Am I eligible for unemployment benefits? The Oregon Employment Department (OED) determines unemployment eligibility.
I live in Washington. Can I apply in Oregon or Washington for unemployment benefits? Washington residents who work in Oregon would apply for Oregon unemployment benefits.
DCU
PAT
PAT & PPS Furlough MOU 2025-2026
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
When are my furlough days? May 1, May 25 (becomes an unpaid holiday), June 9, and June 10. Note - the Grading Day originally scheduled for June 10 was rescheduled to June 8.
How will my paycheck be impacted by the furlough days? The total value of the furlough days will be deducted evenly across employees’ March, April, May, and June paychecks.
The PAT MOU states that HS will now only have one staff meeting for April, May, and June - do admin get to choose? The district will decide which day high school meetings will be held.
If I submit retirement paperwork by April 3, effective the end of the 2025-26 school year, will I be exempt from furlough days? Yes. That means on days you’d otherwise be scheduled to furlough, you’ll continue to work and be paid. Your supervisor will connect with you regarding your assignments for those days.
If I had already submitted retirement paperwork, effective for the end of the 2025-26 school year, or I am working the bubble, am I also exempt from furlough days? Yes. Human Resources has tracked this information. On days you’d otherwise be scheduled to furlough, you’ll continue to work and be paid. Your supervisor will connect with you regarding your assignments for those days.
If I submit retirement paperwork by April 3, effective the end of the 2026-27 school year, will I be exempt from furlough days? Employees under the PAT contract, non-represented, and licensed administrators are eligible for this benefit.
Will the furlough days have an impact on my benefits (e.g., health insurance or retirement)? No.
Will my leave accruals change (sick, family, personal, etc.)? No. Accrual rates for leaves remain the same.
Do I get to choose when to take my furlough days? No. Employees will follow a set furlough schedule. Having a common schedule helps reduce disruption to district operations, supports continuity of services, and allows teams to plan ahead.
Because furlough days may vary across employee groups, a small number of employees may be asked by their supervisor to adjust a furlough day in order to maintain needed coverage. We expect those situations to be limited and used only when necessary.
How was the furlough schedule determined? The schedule was designed with the goal of balancing savings with fairness and equity. Employees in lower salary ranges will have few furlough days, while higher-paid employees will have more furlough days.
Can I use paid leave time instead of taking an unpaid furlough day? No. Furlough days must be taken as unpaid leave and cannot be replaced with paid leave such as vacation or sick time. This ensures the district achieves the intended cost savings.
Am I eligible for unemployment benefits? The Oregon Employment Department (OED) determines unemployment eligibility.
I live in Washington. Can I apply in Oregon or Washington for unemployment benefits? Washington residents who work in Oregon would apply for Oregon unemployment benefits.
PFSP
PFSP & PPS Furlough MOU 2025-2026
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
When are my furlough days?
192 work year PFSP - May 1, June 8, and June 9.
202, 210, 225, and 260 work year - May 1, June 9, and June 10.
How will my paycheck be impacted by the furlough days? The total value of the furlough days will be deducted evenly across employees’ April, May, and June paychecks.
May employees take additional voluntary furlough days? Yes, with advance approval by Human Resources. Voluntary furlough will be reflected on the paycheck associated with the date the furlough was taken.
If I submit retirement paperwork by April 3, effective the end of the 2025-26 school year, will I be exempt from furlough days? Yes. That means on days you’d otherwise be scheduled to furlough, you’ll continue to work and be paid. Your supervisor will connect with you regarding your assignments for those days.
If I had already submitted retirement paperwork, effective for the end of the 2025-26 school year, or I am working the bubble, am I also exempt from furlough days? Yes. Human Resources has tracked this information. On days you’d otherwise be scheduled to furlough, you’ll continue to work and be paid. Your supervisor will connect with you regarding your assignments for those days.
Will the furlough days have an impact on my benefits (e.g., health insurance or retirement)? No.
Will my leave accruals change (sick, family, personal, etc.)? No. Accrual rates for leaves remain the same.
Do I get to choose when to take my furlough days? No. Employees will follow a set furlough schedule. Having a common schedule helps reduce disruption to district operations, supports continuity of services, and allows teams to plan ahead.
Because furlough days may vary across employee groups, a small number of employees may be asked by their supervisor to adjust a furlough day in order to maintain needed coverage. We expect those situations to be limited and used only when necessary.
How was the furlough schedule determined? The schedule was designed with the goal of balancing savings with fairness and equity. Employees in lower salary ranges will have few furlough days, while higher-paid employees will have more furlough days.
Can I use paid leave time instead of taking an unpaid furlough day? No. Furlough days must be taken as unpaid leave and cannot be replaced with paid leave such as vacation or sick time. This ensures the district achieves the intended cost savings.
Am I eligible for unemployment benefits? The Oregon Employment Department (OED) determines unemployment eligibility.
I live in Washington. Can I apply in Oregon or Washington for unemployment benefits? Washington residents who work in Oregon would apply for Oregon unemployment benefits.
SEIU
SEIU & PPS Furlough MOU 2025-2026
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
When is my furlough day? May 1, 2026
How will my paycheck be impacted by the furlough day? The furlough day will be deducted from your May paycheck.
May employees take additional voluntary furlough days? Yes, with advance approval by Human Resources. Voluntary furlough will be reflected on the paycheck associated with the date the furlough was taken.
I am a Nutrition Services SEIU worker and school was originally in session on June 8 and 9 therefore I was scheduled to work, but now there is no school, will I lose pay? June 8 and 9 are still work days for SEIU - your supervisor will provide you with training and other tasks for those days.
I am a Custodial Services SEIU worker and school was originally in session on June 8 and 9 therefore I was scheduled to work, but now there is no school, will I lose pay? June 8 and 9 are still work days for SEIU and normal work will continue.
If I submit retirement paperwork by April 3, effective the end of the 2025-26 school year, will I be exempt from furlough days? Yes. That means on day you’d otherwise be scheduled to furlough, you’ll continue to work and be paid. Your supervisor will connect with you regarding your assignments for those days.
If I had already submitted retirement paperwork, effective for the end of the 2025-26 school year, or I am working the bubble, am I also exempt from furlough days? Yes. Human Resources has tracked this information. On days you’d otherwise be scheduled to furlough, you’ll continue to work and be paid. Your supervisor will connect with you regarding your assignments for those days.
Will the furlough days have an impact on my benefits (e.g., health insurance or retirement)? No.
Will my leave accruals change (sick, family, personal, etc.)? No. Accrual rates for leaves remain the same.
Do I get to choose when to take my furlough days? No. Employees will follow a set furlough schedule. Having a common schedule helps reduce disruption to district operations, supports continuity of services, and allows teams to plan ahead.
Because furlough days may vary across employee groups, a small number of employees may be asked by their supervisor to adjust a furlough day in order to maintain needed coverage. We expect those situations to be limited and used only when necessary.
How was the furlough schedule determined? The schedule was designed with the goal of balancing savings with fairness and equity. Employees in lower salary ranges will have few furlough days, while higher-paid employees will have more furlough days.
Can I use paid leave time instead of taking an unpaid furlough day? No. Furlough days must be taken as unpaid leave and cannot be replaced with paid leave such as vacation or sick time. This ensures the district achieves the intended cost savings.
Am I eligible for unemployment benefits? The Oregon Employment Department (OED) determines unemployment eligibility.
I live in Washington. Can I apply in Oregon or Washington for unemployment benefits? Washington residents who work in Oregon would apply for Oregon unemployment benefits.
Non-Rep, Licensed Admin, & Senior Leadership
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What is the furlough schedule?
See this chart to identify furlough days. Updated Employee work year calendars are also available online here.
How do I find my pay grade or work year?
If you do not know your current pay grade or work year, please connect with your direct supervisor. Classification titles and pay grades are available here.
How will my paycheck be impacted by the furlough days?
The total value of the furlough days assigned to each employee group, pay grade, and work year will be deducted evenly across employees’ March, April, May, and June paychecks for non-reps grades 26 and above, and the April, May, and June paychecks for non-reps grades 1-25. Spreading the reduction across multiple pay periods is intended to lessen the impact on any one paycheck. You can see the PPS pay schedule on Payroll’s website here.
At this time, only non-represented employees in grades 26 and above should see adjustments reflected in the current pay period. Hourly staff are not impacted. If you believe your paycheck has been affected in error, please email payroll@pps.net so that the Payroll team can review and follow up directly.
May employees take additional voluntary furlough days? Yes, with advance approval by Human Resources. Voluntary furlough will be reflected on the paycheck associated with the date the furlough was taken.
If I submit retirement paperwork by April 3, effective the end of the 2025-26 school year, will I be exempt from furlough days? Yes. That means on days you’d otherwise be scheduled to furlough, you’ll continue to work and be paid. Your supervisor will connect with you regarding your assignments for those days.
If I had already submitted retirement paperwork, effective for the end of the 2025-26 school year, or I am working the bubble, am I also exempt from furlough days? Yes. Human Resources has tracked this information. On days you’d otherwise be scheduled to furlough, you’ll continue to work and be paid. Your supervisor will connect with you regarding your assignments for those days.
If I submit retirement paperwork by April 3, effective the end of the 2026-27 school year, will I be exempt from furlough days? Employees under the PAT contract, non-represented, and licensed administrators are eligible for this benefit.
Will the furlough days have an impact on my benefits (e.g., health insurance or retirement)? No.
Will my leave accruals change (sick, family, personal, etc.)? No. Accrual rates for leaves remain the same.
Do I get to choose when to take my furlough days? No. Employees will follow a set furlough schedule. Having a common schedule helps reduce disruption to district operations, supports continuity of services, and allows teams to plan ahead.
Because furlough days may vary across employee groups, a small number of employees may be asked by their supervisor to adjust a furlough day in order to maintain needed coverage. We expect those situations to be limited and used only when necessary.
How was the furlough schedule determined? The schedule was designed with the goal of balancing savings with fairness and equity. Employees in lower salary ranges will have few furlough days, while higher-paid employees will have more furlough days.
Can I use paid leave time instead of taking an unpaid furlough day? No. Furlough days must be taken as unpaid leave and cannot be replaced with paid leave such as vacation or sick time. This ensures the district achieves the intended cost savings.
Am I eligible for unemployment benefits? The Oregon Employment Department (OED) determines unemployment eligibility.
I live in Washington. Can I apply in Oregon or Washington for unemployment benefits? Washington residents who work in Oregon would apply for Oregon unemployment benefits.
Why does there seem to be a financial discrepancy between the 233-day and 260-day licensed administrators?
The budget savings come from a reduction in work days, not from applying the same percentage salary reduction to every employee. Because of that, furlough deductions are based on each employee’s daily rate of pay. This means the financial impact will vary by employee and may look different even among people in the same general job group. For example, the value of one furlough day for an elementary principal may differ from the value of one furlough day for a high school principal.
We recognize that this does not create a perfectly even result in every case. The district committed to take more furlough days than PAT as their members were taking the brunt of the financial responsibility. At the same time, an important priority throughout this process has been to lessen the impact on employees who are hourly or in lower-wage positions as much as possible.