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Board approves levies, Chromebook refresh and contract renewal; budget preview flags flat revenue and ESSER 'cliff'
Summary
Board approved a $2.5M/year six‑year capital levy and an EP&O levy set at the maximum allowed; it also authorized a Chromebook refresh (capital levy funds) and renewed the Chartwells food‑service contract. Finance staff previewed a FY25 budget that plans a $700,000 draw from reserves while avoiding layoffs.
At the June business meeting, the South Whidbey board approved Memorandum 23‑24‑50 placing a six‑year capital levy of $2,500,000 per year on the November ballot and an Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy at the maximum allowable level based on enrollment. "It's about a $41 impact in the first year on a $750,000 house," a staff member said while summarizing tax‑rate examples.
The board also approved Memorandum 23‑24‑47 to purchase Chromebooks for the district’s 1:1 student technology refresh, funded from the capital levy, and ratified the first annual renewal of the Chartwells food‑service contract (Memorandum 23‑24‑49). Administrators said the Chartwells price follows contractual CPI adjustments and an addendum on a non‑compete/hiring clause will come later.
Finance director Dan Field and budget presenter Paul Pullman outlined the FY25 outlook: projected general‑fund revenue near $21.7 million (a modest increase), an estimated 2.1% decline in student FTE (about 24 students), and the end of ESSER federal pandemic funding. Pullman said the district plans a balanced budget that intentionally draws down roughly $700,000 from fund balance to avoid staffing reductions while covering increased costs in salaries, benefits and professional services.
Capital projects and bond timing: administrators reported an imminent bond sale and said some planned summer playground and courtyard work was paused after bids exceeded statutory small‑works limits; that work will be repackaged for future procurement and may occur next summer.
Votes at a glance: Memorandum 23‑24‑35 (search firm HYA) — approved; Memorandum 23‑24‑36/37/38 etc. (policy and mastery‑based policy cluster) — approved; Memorandum 23‑24‑47 (Chromebook purchase) — approved; Memorandum 23‑24‑49 (Chartwells renewal) — approved; Memorandum 23‑24‑50 (November levies) — approved.
Why it matters: levy approval and bond planning shape capital and operational finances for several years; administrators presented a budget strategy that uses reserves to maintain staffing while the district adjusts to flat state revenue and the end of one‑time federal funding.
What’s next: staff will publish detailed levy and bond materials at a July workshop, provide a full budget presentation on July 10 and hold a formal budget hearing and adoption in late July; administrators will return with refined 4‑year projections and capital project timelines.
