Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Selah district outlines $2.5M draft cuts, notes $100,000 donor commitment for turf project
Loading...
Summary
District staff presented a draft budget reduction plan of about $2.5 million that relies mostly on attrition (no layoffs planned) and highlighted a $100,000 total donation from the Graff family for field turf signage and capital projects.
Selah School District staff presented an updated budget picture and draft reduction plan, telling the board a near‑term target of $2.6 million remains but current draft reductions total roughly $2.5 million as of April 23; staff said most adjustments have been achieved through attrition and no layoffs are planned at this time.
"Our budget is $68,000,000 and roughly 84% of that is people," a district staff member said while summarizing staffing and program reductions. The district's draft reductions list roughly 9.2 certificated and 11 classified positions as the current impact estimate (subject to change), a move officials say they are managing through attrition and procedural adjustments.
Staff also reported an April official enrollment count of 3,501 student FTE (down 10 from March and down 57 from last April) and an ending general fund balance for March of just over $8,000,000 (about 12% of the fund balance). The district plans a budget study session on June 11 and expects to present a draft budget in May and an adoption vote at the June business meeting.
On philanthropy, the board recorded a Graff family donation of $50,000 toward the capital projects fund for a turf field project; staff said this is the second recent $50,000 commitment, bringing the family's total contribution to $100,000 toward field signage and related work.
Trustees discussed options that include relocating preschool space to reduce costs, reducing printed materials and vendor contracts, cutting certain tech licenses and seeking on‑site fueling savings estimated at about $0.45 per gallon. Board members asked about possible increases in extracurricular fees; staff said fee waivers under House Bill 1660 apply to low‑income students and that discussions about fees are ongoing.
Outcome: Board scheduled a budget study session for June 11 and directed staff to continue refining the draft reductions and return with details for the May/June meetings.
