Othello board hears legislative session could leave district about $450,000 short
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Summary
Board members heard a legislative briefing that described statewide funding cuts and per-pupil reductions that the district estimates could amount to about $450,000 less in revenue; members discussed impacts to TK, bus depreciation and other programs and urged advocacy.
The Othello School District board on Monday received a legislative update outlining state funding changes that trustees were told could reduce next year’s revenue for the district.
Board Chair (Speaker 1) summarized outcomes of the just-ended legislative session, saying lawmakers “passed a bunch of stuff, and a bunch of stuff failed,” and noting that the session preserved tax exemptions for public schools but left other priorities unfunded. Chairwrote that Local Effort Assistance funding was reduced and that the state’s per-pupil increase was cut from $250 to $150.
A board member quantified the local effect, saying the change represents about $100 per student — “so that’s about $450,000 that we’re budgeted to receive that we’re not going to receive” (Speaker 3). Dr. Perez (Speaker 4) told the board the district can use reserves to address shortfalls in the short term but that planners will need to consider deeper cuts or rebalancing for next year.
Trustees and staff flagged several program areas at risk. Dr. Perez said the transition-to-kindergarten funding was reduced but that some places defined as childcare-access deserts may be exempt; she also noted decreases to funding that covers bus depreciation (MSOC) and expressed concern about how rising fuel and other costs could interact with these cuts. "We still gotta get after it, but we're not excited about where we're at," Dr. Perez said (Speaker 4).
Board members and staff also discussed wider impacts: the transcript records concerns about cuts in higher education programs and regional Educational Service District support, and a public commenter said public-health funding faced a $25,000,000 reduction. The board chair said the state association (transcript: “Wazda”) described the session as “deeply disappointing for K–12” and urged a stronger grassroots advocacy push between sessions.
What’s next: Trustees said they will continue coordinating with the state association and advocacy partners to press for funding changes in the interim and heading into the next legislative session. No formal vote or policy change was taken at the meeting on funding decisions.
