Business staff briefed the Silver Falls School District Board on the district’s monthly financial report and a reserves overview at the July meeting. The district’s projected general fund ending balance improved from an earlier projection and is now projected “just under $3 million,” Business Manager Tom said.

Tom explained the difference between contingency (a single budget line set aside for unknown, in‑year events) and unappropriated ending fund balance (funds held as a cushion into the next fiscal year). He said Oregon practice and guidance vary but noted the Oregon Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) recommends 3 to 8 percent for typical school district reserves and that some local districts set policies combining contingency and unappropriated balance targets.

Board members asked for a follow‑up “budget camp” session to review account groupings, revenue timing, and reserve policy language. Tom recommended conservatism on revenue assumptions and suggested staff would bring model reserve policies and comparisons from other districts to future work sessions. He said August is the point at which last fiscal year’s books are typically tied off and auditors finalize their work.

The board did not adopt a new reserve policy at the meeting. Members discussed tradeoffs — for example, keeping higher reserves to strengthen the district’s financial position versus using one‑time funds for programs or restored stipends — and a plan was set to continue the policy conversation later in the fiscal year.