District outlines budget timeline; asks public to expect preliminary budget in July

Travis, a district staff member, presented the Richland School District's budget-development timeline for the 2025-26 fiscal year, highlighting key dates tied to the state legislative session and revenue forecasts.

Travis said the district is constrained by the state revenue forecast schedule: "The legislative session starting in January 13, the revenue forecast being released on March 20, and then, the legislative session concluding on April 27," and noted the district will not have final state revenue figures until the close of session. He described the district's approach: continue working on expenditure planning and enrollment projections now, gather department requests by March 31, receive building submissions by April 15, present projected enrollment to the board in April, and publish a preliminary budget availability on July 10 with adoption planned for August.

The presentation included a new "citizen's guide to the budget" that staff said will be shared in chapters at upcoming board meetings to explain enrollment, revenue and expenditure assumptions. Board members asked clarifying questions about timeline details and state deadlines; staff confirmed they will meet state-required public deadlines and will present regular updates at board meetings.

Staff emphasized enrollment projection work and the need to align expenditure planning with evolving state revenue forecasts; the board asked staff to circulate the guide and to keep the board apprised as state actions unfold.

Staff will return to the board with the enrollment projection and subsequent budget chapters at the scheduled meetings, and a preliminary budget will be posted by the state deadline in July.