The Salem-Keizer School District is getting a small reprieve on its pension costs after legislators approved a change intended to provide schools help with skyrocketing rates.

The change, announced by the state’s pension system last week, reduces the amount school districts must pay to the state to cover expected pension costs for already-retired employees.

Superintendent Andrea Castañeda estimated it would save the school district about $6 million next year. That’s out of $123 million the district already budgeted for pensions.

The district’s total proposed budget for next year is $1.15 billion.

“We are grateful for this rate adjustment and swift action on the part of the legislature, governor, and PERS board. Every dollar helps,” Castañeda said in an email, referring to the Public Em

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