Pasco School Board approves $8.3 million budget extension, uses fund balance to avoid layoffs; election for legislative representative tabled

The Pasco School Board of Directors on Tuesday approved a resolution to increase the district’s 2024–25 spending authority by roughly $8.3 million following a public hearing on the budget extension.

Dr. Castilleja, presenting the extension, said the action would allow the district to “utilize a portion of the fund balance to balance our budget while implementing a strategy to get back on track financially.” The resolution passed unanimously by roll call.

The extension authorizes the district to spend into its fund balance this school year as staff pursue a multi‑year strategy that reduces the board‑mandated reserve from 5% to 2.5% for up to three budget cycles, and seeks $4–5 million in annual staffing savings through attrition rather than layoffs. Dr. Castilleja described the approach as a “tempered” plan intended to protect staff while the district responds to a slowdown in enrollment and higher operating costs.

Nut graf: The vote lets Pasco School District address an anticipated 2024–25 deficit by drawing on designated reserves and pursuing measured staffing reductions through attrition. District leaders told the board the move is legal under state processes: the Educational Service District (ESD) will review the board’s action and forward it to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for final approval.

Board members said they wanted to avoid layoffs. Superintendent Whitney and district staff emphasized the board-directed plan prioritizes minimizing direct staff reductions and monitoring enrollment and costs. Dr. Castilleja warned that the district will reassess progress annually and restore the 5% reserve when financially feasible.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (05/27/2025): motion seconded and approved by voice vote; recorded as unanimous. - Consent agenda (personnel, warrants, travel, construction change orders, and Resolution No. 1059): motion to approve the bundle passed unanimously by roll call. The consent agenda included parent‑teacher conference day waivers, multiple overnight and out‑of‑state student travel approvals, construction change orders for Orion and Sage View projects, and other routine items listed in the packet. - Resolution to extend 2024–25 budget spending authority (resolution number cited in the meeting as “10 58”): approved unanimously by roll call after the public hearing. - Election of legislative representative: board voted unanimously to table the election until a full board is present.

Board procedure and next steps District staff explained the extension follows state legal steps: staff prepared paperwork, the ESD reviewed the proposal and will submit the application to OSPI if the board’s resolution stands. Dr. Castilleja walked through the estimated figures for the fund balance and illustrated how reducing the mandated reserve for a limited period, combined with staffing attrition, would close the immediate gap while the district aims to rebuild reserves.

Several board members asked no further questions during the public hearing. The board president called for public comment during the advertised hearing; no members of the public offered testimony specific to the budget extension at that time.

Ending: The board’s action authorizes staff to proceed with the budget changes and with filing the required documentation with the ESD and OSPI. District staff said they will present the recommended 2025–26 budget at the July meeting as part of the district’s multi‑step budget timetable.