Ocean View board approves first interim budget showing smaller deficit and modest revenue growth

The Ocean View School District Board of Trustees on Dec. 9 approved the district's first interim budget for 2025–26, accepting multi‑year projections that show a narrowing deficit and modest revenue growth. The board approved the package by a 3-0-2 vote (Trustees Gorsuch and Westmoreland absent).

Assistant Superintendent and Chief Business Official Keith Ferro presented the report, saying the budget uses a cohort survival enrollment model that reduces projected annual student loss from a previously conservative 200 students to as few as 55 in the out years. Ferro said revenue is now projected to increase "from $88 million to $89.6 million in 2027–28," while the district maintains conservative assumptions on costs. "This budget focuses on the bottom line, the ending fund balance," he said.

Ferro highlighted program contributions (special education and routine restricted maintenance) as ongoing funding pressures, and said routine restricted maintenance was conservatively set at 4% to meet facility needs. The presentation showed a managed decline in deficit spending and a positive ending fund balance for the current and two out years, meeting state requirements for interim reports.

Board members pressed for clarity on where future cuts might occur if conditions worsen; Ferro said staffing and special education costs would be monitored closely and that a fully staffed special education department should reduce outside contractor costs and settlements. Trustees also emphasized attendance as a strategic priority to support achievement and the budget: staff reported recent gains that supported a stronger outlook.

The board accepted the first interim report and directed staff to continue monitoring assumptions and to return with a second interim update in June. The motion to approve was made and seconded on the record during the meeting; the final tally was recorded as 3-0-2 with two trustees absent.