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Evergreen Public Schools board approves $10 million budget extension to cover rising special-education costs
Summary
The board approved Resolution 7,054 to add up to $10 million in spending capacity for the 2024–25 general fund after higher-than-expected special-education costs; staff said the district expects to use about $6 million and the unrestricted fund balance will fall to 4% (board policy is 5%).
The Evergreen Public Schools Board of Directors on June 10 voted to adopt Resolution 7,054, a one-year budget extension that adds up to $10,000,000 in spending capacity to the 2024–25 general fund to address higher-than-anticipated special-education costs.
Jennifer, a district staff member, told the board the district adopted a $432,000,000 general fund budget in August and projected in February that special education could push a projected $4,000,000 shortfall to roughly $10,000,000 by the end of the school year. "We don't think we will need the full $10,000,000. We're actually only gonna be about $6,000,000 more than anticipated," Jennifer said, adding the extension gives the district capacity to pay bills that may arrive over the summer.
The resolution reduces the district's unrestricted fund balance to about 4 percent of expenditures; board policy sets a 5 percent reserve. Jennifer said the district will need to rebuild reserves in subsequent years and that ESD 112 has reviewed the extension before it goes to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for final reporting. Board members discussed that the measure draws from reserves rather than creating a new tax.
Director Perkins moved to adopt Resolution 7,054; Director Bocanegra seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote.
Board members and staff described steps to prevent a recurrence, including work with the special-education senior director on staffing and a 0-based budgeting approach for next year. Jennifer said the district has hired additional certificated and classified staff this year to meet individualized education program (IEP) obligations and to serve students with higher levels of need.
Votes at a glance
- Adoption of Resolution 7,054 (budget extension for the 2024–25 general fund): moved by Director Perkins, seconded by Director Bocanegra; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Board consent agenda: approved (voice vote). - Superintendent consent agenda: approved (voice vote). - Textbook adoptions and curriculum actions (listed separately): approved (see separate article).
Ending
Staff said the extension is a single‑year authorization for 2024–25 and that the district expects to manage next year’s budget with improved forecasting and staffing plans. The extension will be reflected in future budget status reports once OSPI and related reviews are complete.
