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Board hears fall budget update, warns of enrollment-driven revenue loss and approves contracted speech positions
Summary
The board reviewed final 2023–24 finances and a 2024–25 forecast showing an $11.7M ending balance; staff warned of an estimated $1.3M revenue loss next year from a ~100-student enrollment decline. The board approved using up to $392,300 to contract speech‑language services.
At the Oct. 22 meeting the board received a fall budget update that showed a $17.3 million ending fund balance for 2023–24 (about 21%), roughly $1.4 million higher than earlier projections because of higher local resources and state adjustments.
Emily, the district presenter, said the current 2024–25 forecast shows an $11.7 million ending fund balance (about 13%), bolstered by the larger beginning balance carried forward. However, enrollment came in roughly 100 students below budgeted estimates — a shortfall that staff said will translate to approximately $1.3 million less state school fund revenue next year.
"If we just look at a 100 students plus the weights of a 100 students, that's about a 123 kiddos ... It's almost $1,300,000 in a loss of revenue that we're gonna walk into next year," the presenter said, urging the board to be mindful of spending trajectories and savings depletion.
The presenter also reviewed grant resources for 2023–24 ($22.6 million total, $9.3 million federal) and noted ESSER funds have sunsetted (Sept. 30), which reduces federal support going forward. Staff outlined legislative planning related to the governor's updated state school fund current service level and proposals to increase special education funding and fully reimburse high-cost disability expenses.
On an action item, staff requested authority to convert budgeted FTE for a 1.0 speech-language pathologist and a 1.0 speech-language pathology assistant into contracted services for the remainder of 2024–25, totaling a request of $392,300. The motion to approve the spending was moved and seconded and the board voted in favor.
Earlier, the board approved routine items on the consent agenda by a single motion and roll-call procedure. Staff said they will advertise three open budget committee seats through Nov. 25 and continue monitoring fiscal impacts as bargaining and budget planning move forward.
