Oregon's school finance system has been in place for decades but no longer meets the needs of schools, policymakers, or communities. The current design does not provide the level of detail necessary to understand how funds are allocated, how they are used, and the outcomes they support.
Through S.B.141 and ongoing legislative direction, state leaders have identified a need for greater fiscal transparency, stronger alignment between investments and outcomes, and more consistent data for accountability.
Modernization focuses on the
Program Budgeting and Accounting Manual (PBAM) and the
Chart of Accounts (CoA) to support more timely, reliable, and transparent financial information for every level of Oregon's education system. Strengthening the connection between funding, data, and outcomes will help transform financial reporting from a compliance activity into a tool for decision-making.
This work supports the statute's goals of transparency, comparability, and continuous improvement, and provides a clearer view of how investments align with outcomes for students.
PBAM and Chart of Accounts Materials (FY2028-29 Update)
Statewide Implementation of the Program Budgeting and Accounting Manual (PBAM) and Chart of Accounts will begin
Fiscal Year 2028–29.
These materials reflect updates following public comment and State Board review and are provided to support preparation for implementation.
Why This Work is Happening
The current PBAM and Chart of Accounts structure limits visibility into how education funds are allocated and used. This creates challenges for timely decision-making, effective planning, and clear communication with stakeholders.
Key challenges include:
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Limited transparency and timeliness: Financial data is often delayed and does not provide the level of detail needed for timely, informed decisions
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Redundant and inefficient reporting: Agencies frequently report similar information in multiple formats to meet different requirements
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Limited visibility for communities and decision-makers: Difficult to clearly understand how funds are used to support students
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Challenges with assessing fiscal health: Limited insight into financial conditions can impact long-term planning and stability
These challenges affect multiple audiences, including:
- State leadership and policymakers, who rely on financial data to guide decisions
- Communities and families, who expect transparency into how resources support students
- Financial institutions and external reviewers, who assess fiscal health
- Federal agencies, which require consistent and standardized reporting
Implementation Timeline and Engagement
ODE is supporting a phased approach to implementing the modernized Chart of Accounts and PBAM, with statewide implementation beginning Fiscal Year 2028–29.
Education Agency Expectations
Education agencies are expected to transition to the new Chart of Accounts and PBAM according to the following general timeline:
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January 2028 - June 2028: Develop FY 2028–29 budgets using the new Chart of Accounts
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July 2028: Begin accounting in the new Chart of Accounts
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July 2028 (or shortly thereafter): Submit adopted budgets using the new structure
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August 2028 and onward: Begin regular financial reporting submissions to ODE
Implementation timing and approach may vary across agencies based on local readiness, systems, and resources.
Example Implementation Timeline
While each agency’s approach may differ, implementation activities will generally occur over multiple years:
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Mid 2027 – Late 2027: Chart of Accounts mapping and preparation
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Late 2027 – Early 2028: System setup and configuration
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Early 2028: Budget development using the new structure
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July 2028 onward: Full implementation
Supporting Implementation
ODE is supporting this work through multiple efforts, including the Early Adopter Phase, the Chart of Accounts Committee, coordination with system providers, and ongoing collaboration with education agencies. These efforts are designed to provide early preparation opportunities, gather feedback, and strengthen guidance and tools ahead of statewide implementation.
Early Adopter Phase
The Early Adopter Phase is a preparatory step to support education agencies in transitioning to the new Chart of Accounts and PBAM ahead of statewide implementation in Fiscal Year 2028–29
To begin in
July 2026, this pilot phase provides participating agencies with the opportunity to begin working with the new structure earlier in the timeline. This includes building familiarity with the framework, completing key preparation activities such as mapping, and identifying questions in advance.
Interest in participation was strong, with districts, ESDs, and charter schools representing a broad cross-section of education agencies across Oregon. Their involvement will help inform this work statewide.
Agencies interested in participating in the Early Adopter Phase may contact ode.fiscaltransparency@ode.oregon.gov
Chart of Accounts Committee
ODE will be expanding the Chart of Accounts Committee with a refreshed structure aligned to the modernized CoA and PBAM. Meetings will be held quarterly.
Thank you to all who expressed interest in participating. Applications are currently under review, with strong participation from districts, ESDs, and charter schools across Oregon.
Committee member selection is underway, and selected members are expected to be announced this summer.
Acknowledging The Scale of The Change
Updating the PBAM and Chart of Accounts represents a significant change for districts, education service districts (ESDs), and charter schools. This work will affect coding structures, business processes, and financial reporting practices across agencies.
The transition requires time, coordination, and support. Implementation approaches will vary based on local systems, capacity, and readiness.
Input from districts, ESDs, charter schools, auditors, software providers, and education partners continues to inform this work and support implementation planning.
*Last Updated 6/10/2026