Tumwater previews 2025–26 budget: $1.4M cash with loan, new helmet fees and capital levy planning

District finance and operations leaders presented a preliminary 2025–26 budget and timeline ahead of two public budget hearings and an October adoption vote. Ben Rarick (S8) said the budget was submitted for technical review to the ESD on July 10 and that the district is in its fourth consecutive month of negative cash when measured without an interfund loan. “We have $1,400,000 in cash in our treasury account for the general fund,” Rarick said, “but without the loan, we would be at negative $2,200,000.” He described the state‑required procedural step to pay out and reissue an interfund loan at year‑end and noted that under new law the district does not have to pay interest on that loan.

Kira Acker (S5) outlined fee adjustments included in the materials: a new helmet rental fee of $25 for middle school players and $40 for high school players, while lunch and breakfast rates remain unchanged. She noted families on free and reduced-price meal programs would be exempt from the helmet fee under state guidance (House Bill 1660). “A minimal fee that will help offset some of our costs for football,” Acker said, adding staff plan to provide a detailed breakdown of pay‑to‑play revenue and ASB expenditures at the August hearings.

Staff also discussed program-level budget changes (small enrollment declines of about 39–40 students in K–12 overall, higher allocations for New Market skills and running-start changes) and favored holding two public hearings (Aug. 14 and Aug. 28) before an Oct. 28 vote on the budget. Rarick previewed a potential capital levy timeline that could lead to board authorization in October or November and a ballot measure in February 2026. He also flagged upcoming bargaining and a new administrative position that consolidates transportation and safety oversight (planned as a net reduction of one FTE compared with previously separated roles).

Board members pressed for more detail on ASB revenues and expenditures and whether some district athletics (middle school football) should be replaced by stipend support for community youth leagues. Staff agreed to bring a breakdown of ASB revenue/expenditures and middle-school football costs to the August hearings, and to revisit the interfund loan amount if the board requests symbolism of a reduced figure.

Next steps: two budget hearings in August, additional detail on ASB and athletics costs at the hearings, and board consideration of capital-levy authorization in the fall.