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Othello School District projects multi‑year deficit, urges levy vote to blunt shortfall
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Perez and finance staff presented the district's 2025-26 budget showing a projected drop in the ending fund balance and a multi‑year decline to as few as 1.2 operating days of reserve without policy changes or a successful levy; the board set a public budget hearing for Aug. 25 and a submission deadline of Aug. 31 to OSPI.
Othello School District Superintendent Dr. Perez on Thursday presented a 2025-26 budget that projects a falling fund balance over a four-year forecast and warns the district could run into cash‑flow problems without additional revenue or continued reductions in staff and expenses.
Dr. Perez told the board the district's beginning fund balance in the budget is $13,800,000 and that the proposed 2025-26 revenues of roughly $84.5 million minus planned expenditures would reduce the ending fund balance by about $2,600,000. The presentation included a four‑year forecast showing the district's ending fund balance dropping to an estimated $319,000 by 2028-29 in a scenario that assumes current staffing and that a supplemental levy passes.
The nut graf: the board was shown that without structural change or new, sustained revenue the district's reserves would fall below recommended levels and…
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