Sumner Bonney Lake board adopts 2025–26 budget, spells out multi‑year fund‑balance concern

The Sumner Bonney Lake School District board on Aug. 20 approved the district’s 2025–26 budget and four‑year plan after a presentation by Chief Financial Officer Brian Burley.

Burley told the board the budget being adopted matches the version presented at a prior public hearing and is being submitted to the state. He said the district projects roughly $207 million in revenues and about $217 million in expenditures next year, a gap that will draw down the fund balance unless the district makes strategic changes.

“We started about 22% fund balance. We look like we’re gonna end this year at about 18% fund balance,” Burley said, adding that if no changes are made the district could be reduced to “less than 2 weeks of operating expenditures” within four years. He described the fund balance as a strategic buffer that permits less‑disruptive planning in the event of revenue declines.

The board adopted the administration’s recommendation to approve resolution 21/24‑25, which the agenda described as adoption of the 2025–26 budget reflecting the four‑year plan and enrollment projections.

Burley reviewed that roughly 76% of revenue comes from the state (about 70% of that from the prototypical funding model), local levies account for a portion of revenue, and federal funds are about 3% of the total. He also noted the district projects small enrollment growth (about 50 students) and that salary and benefits remain the largest expenditure driver.

Following the budget vote, the board adopted resolution 22/24‑25 to write off uncollectible customer account balances totaling $9,817.99.

What happens next: District staff will proceed with the adopted spending authority and continue to monitor revenue and expenditure trends. The CFO and board members said they will pursue strategic adjustments in future budget cycles and maintain transparency with the community.