Emmett board hears budget update as enrollment and state payments shift funding outlook

The Emmett Independent District board on Monday received a budget update that staff said shows near-term revenue pressures driven by lower attendance and pending state payments.

"We have received 3 state payments, which is approximately 90% of our state foundation payments," Crystal, the district finance lead, told the board, adding that one remaining payment and a July true-up will affect the district's discretionary funding. She reported the district’s midterm attendance rate at about 88% and estimated enrollment at 2,483 compared with an actual count of 2,405.

The shortfall in average daily attendance reduces the district’s support units, which in turn lowers apportionments for salaries and benefits, Crystal said. She also noted interest income on the district’s Local Government Investment Pool has risen from under 1% in January 2021 to about 3.8% currently, though rates appear to be on a downward trend.

Board members pressed for clarity on how attendance transfers (students attending Purda programs) affect the secondary attendance rate, with one trustee noting that students who leave for specialized placements lower Emmett’s reported attendance even when on-track students remain. Crystal confirmed she is revising budget reports as new information arrives and that a midyear update could show about a $500,000 decline in the general fund.

Trustees said they want a clearer revised budget figure as soon as possible and praised staff for assembling the reports. Crystal said some special-education funding clarifications received that day were being incorporated into the revisions.

The board did not take further action on the budget at the meeting and asked staff to return with updated numbers. The discussion precedes a March budget and levy planning window that the board said it will use to decide whether to pursue supplemental levies.