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Moscow School District board approves revised 2024–25 budget after public hearing
Summary
Following a public revised-budget hearing, the Moscow School District board approved adjustments to the 2024–25 budget, including revenue and expense changes tied to enrollment, negotiated pay increases and higher insurance and Medicaid-related costs.
The Moscow School District Board of Trustees voted to adopt a revised fiscal-year 2024–25 budget after a public hearing and staff presentation on Feb. 26.
Finance staff presented changes to the general fund that staff said reflect updated enrollment, negotiated pay increases and higher vendor and insurance costs. Jennifer (Jen), a district staff member who led the presentation, told the board the district’s fund‑balance policy requires an unrestricted fund balance of 17–20% of the following year’s expense budget and that the district’s unrestricted portion currently sits at 17%.
Jen said the revision reflects multiple cost pressures: an across‑the‑board 1.5% pay increase budgeted for staff for 2024–25, step and column increases for certified staff and longevity for classified staff, and a district contribution increase to healthcare costs. She also reported that Regions posted higher insurance premiums and that the district made a $400,000 payment in January toward a negotiated contract with Regions. The presentation explained an increase in the district’s Medicaid‑match transfer and described a $341,000 increase tied to maintenance‑of‑effort obligations for special education and related services; Jen described maintenance of effort as the combination of Medicaid match, federal Title (IDEA/Part B) funds and the general fund covering what those sources do not.
Staff also said a timing issue tied to two undelivered buses contributed to variance among funds; the district had budgeted for those vehicles but had not received them before fiscal year end. The presentation noted Fund 435 tracks portions of House Bill 292 and can be used for facilities and bond payment purposes.
After the hearing, a trustee moved to approve the revised 2024–25 budget as presented; the board approved the motion during the meeting. The motion passed by voice vote with the trustees present.
Board members did not adopt additional budget changes at the meeting; staff said they would proceed with the revised numbers presented at the hearing and follow routine reporting and monitoring requirements.
Why it matters: The update preserves the district’s fund‑balance minimum and recognizes cost pressures that affect classroom and support services — including personnel and health‑insurance costs, Medicaid match obligations and capital‑asset timing such as school buses.
Details and next steps: Staff will incorporate the revised figures into month‑end financial reports to the board and continue to flag variances caused by enrollment shifts, program transfers and capital delivery timing. The district did not publish a line‑item cost total for the entire revised budget in the presentation; staff said detailed backup is available on request.
