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Washington Unified board approves positive first interim budget despite projected deficit over multiyear projections
Summary
The Washington Unified board approved its first interim financial report, which certifies the district's budget as "positive" for the current year while flagging a projected $6.4 million drawdown to the general fund and ongoing deficit spending in multiyear projections if trends persist.
The Washington Unified School District board voted to approve its first interim financial report after a detailed presentation and extended questions from trustees.
Monique Stobo introduced the report and said the board was being asked to "certify this budget as positive," a formal designation signaling the district expects to meet its current-year obligations. Fiscal director Billy Duba told trustees the district is projecting an enrollment decline of roughly 138 students compared with last year, which translates into about $1 million less revenue than planned. He said the district moved $2.5 million into deferred maintenance and other post-employment benefits and set aside funds for textbook adoptions, safety, technology refresh and transportation.
Duba walked the board through the general fund figures: after transfers and planned uses, the district projects a net decrease to the unrestricted general fund of about $6.4 million, leaving an ending unrestricted balance of about $15.3 million. On the restricted side, he said new one-time and multiyear grants increased restricted revenue and expenses; the combined general fund ending balance was presented at about $31.2 million.
Trustees pressed staff on where unassigned and restricted dollars can be used and whether one-time funds should be committed to ongoing costs. Stobo and Duba advised against using one-time reserves for recurring salary obligations. Board members asked about consultant contracts and nonpublic special education placements, both of which staff identified as drivers of higher contracted costs; Duba said nonpublic school placements are a significant and rising cost.
The presentation included multiyear projections showing deficit spending continuing through 2028-29 under current assumptions. Stobo told the board the district expects to begin using budget stabilization dollars in 2026-27 unless revenue or expense trends change.
After discussion the board moved and approved the interim report. The item now goes to the county office of education for their review as required by law.
The board will revisit projections and the governor's January budget proposal as staff refines assumptions and monitors enrollment, special education costs and negotiated labor agreements. The district plans additional public information to clarify restricted versus unrestricted balances and how unspent funds are managed.
