Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newport City Elementary seeks $8.22 million budget; council approves $1-per-year lease with school district
Summary
Principal Aaron Larson presented a proposed $8,217,575 budget for Newport City Elementary (7.12% above last year) and the council unanimously approved a year-to-year $1-per-year lease so the district's insurer can cover the school while the city retains property ownership.
Aaron Larson, principal of Newport City Elementary School, presented the districts proposed 2025-26 elementary budget and described the school's priorities and financial picture.
"We're proposing a total budget of $8,217,575. That's up $584,942 over last school year. This is a 7.12% increase," Larson said, and explained the increases are driven by statewide health insurance costs (11.9% for staff) and anticipated wage increases to attract and retain educators. Larson said that because of state funding formulas and a small projected increase in long-term weighted average daily membership, the net tax impact across the combined budgets (elementary, junior high and high school) would be a roughly 0.73% increase for residentsthe equivalent of about $26 on a $200,000 home.
Larson also described a ballot item asking voters to transfer a $310,000 fund balance into a building and maintenance fund to cover projects such as replacing the fire alarm system; he encouraged residents to attend a budget information session scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the Newport City Elementary School Library.
Separately, the council reviewed and approved a draft lease with the Newport City School District. City attorney David Rood said the property is owned by the City of Newport and the "rent is a dollar a year. It's a year to year lease," necessary so the school district's insurer will provide coverage for the elementary school. Council moved, seconded and carried a motion authorizing the mayor to execute the lease. Rood noted the school board would next take up the lease.
The councils actions advanced both the budget presentation (public notice and outreach) and a formal lease agreement that clarifies insurance coverage and preserves city ownership of the school property.
