Nyssa SD 26 board approves $6.1 million supplemental budget to align revenues, avoid legal violation

The Nyssa SD 26 school board voted to approve a supplemental budget to recognize unanticipated state school fund revenue tied to higher student enrollment and to keep the district in compliance with Oregon budget law.

A staff member presenting the district's financials told the board the state adjusted school‑fund payments and the district received roughly $6,100,000 in additional revenue, half of which arrived this month and the remainder expected over the following two months. To address increased operating costs brought on by higher enrollment, the presenter said the district will allocate $300,000 to general‑fund instruction accounts and transfer about $3,100,000 to Fund 440 (facilities). The presenter also said the district will increase Fund 266 by $48,950 to account for newly awarded Title 5b rural and low‑income school grant funds.

"Oregon law limits budget overspending to 10% over an adopted budget," the staff member said, explaining that the supplemental budget was necessary because expenditures in one area had exceeded that limit and a formal adjustment was required to avoid a budget violation. The presenter added that increased enrollment produced higher operating costs before the state's retroactive adjustments arrived, creating a temporary overspending appearance that the supplemental budget corrects.

Board members asked for clarifications about the figures and timing. One board member noted approximately $2,000,000 in overspending in purchase services since September; the presenter explained that the state's recent adjustments would retroactively cover much of those costs and that the supplemental budget restores compliance and replenishes necessary reserves.

A motion to approve the supplemental budget was moved by Dustin and seconded by Donnie; the chair announced the motion carried by voice vote.

The district finance packet presented to the board showed a general fund month of March revenue of about $3,700,000, expenditures for the month of roughly $2,100,000 and a cumulative general fund balance to carry forward of about $3,400,000. The presenter noted the middle‑school bond account balance (~$394,000) and an upcoming debt service payment in June of about $380,000, and reported that the food service program had year‑to‑date revenue of roughly $710,000 against expenditures near $750,000.

The district will publish the approved supplemental budget amendments and include them in the formal records submitted to the Oregon Department of Education as required.