Yakima School District reports improved cash flow but flags legislative funding risk; board approves consent agenda and 2026–27 calendar

Mr. Cooper presented the district’s monthly financial update and said cash flow is improving after the tax‑anticipation note was repaid. He reported that the district recently lost about 100 students between January and February and that enrollment remains a headwind for revenue projections.

Cooper said the district had intentionally front‑funded IDEA set‑aside costs, noting that IDEA was running roughly $1–1.5 million over budget this year because the district added behavior paraprofessionals to comply with federal requirements. He described a liquidity trough of about $14,000,000 and said the district’s expenditures were generally in line with budget, producing a modest favorable variance month‑to‑month.

From a legislative standpoint, Cooper identified levy equalization (LEA) as the biggest wild card: an earlier district estimate of a roughly $3,000,000 increase could be cut in half in the governor’s preliminary budget, and further changes at the Legislature could materially affect staffing plans.

On consent business, the board moved, seconded and approved the consent agenda (minutes, warrants, personnel actions, January budget status and annual write‑offs) by voice vote. Later the board considered and approved the 2026–27 instructional calendar with a motion that included returning to the board with a proposed early‑release schedule for further consideration.

During public comment Steve McKenna, a retired district educator, praised recent financial improvements, warned that public campaigns for levies and bonds will be challenging, and raised operational concerns about the feasibility of daily formative monitoring at the secondary level.

The board then moved into a 10‑minute executive session to discuss a personnel matter.