District finance staff reports March fund balance of about $5.6 million; enrollment slightly below budget

Ruth Floyd presented the Stanwood-Camano School District’s March financial report at the May 5 board meeting, outlining enrollment, revenue recognition and fund-balance figures.

Floyd reported the district’s average annual full-time-equivalent (FTE) enrollment was 4,642 — about 22 FTE below budget and roughly three below last month’s average. She told the board the March general fund balance was approximately $5,600,000, a decline that places the fund balance just below 6% of the budget.

On revenues and spending, Floyd said state apportionment revenues had been recognized at about 57.5% for the year and year-to-date spending was near 54.7% (figures presented by the finance office). Payroll costs were lower as a percent of budget than the same time last year; non-salary MSOC was running slightly higher than the prior year due to expenditures that included Running Start participation.

Floyd also reported that capital project activity had not changed materially from the prior month, debt-service spending had increased because of early tax collections, and ASB and food-service variances reflected spring fundraisers and higher a la carte participation. The transportation vehicle fund showed only small changes.

Why it matters: The general fund balance and enrollment trends inform near-term budget choices and longer-term planning; a fund balance below typical targets can constrain discretionary spending and buffer capacity.

Board follow-up: Directors thanked Floyd for the report; no board action was taken on the financials at the meeting. The audit and budget advisory (CFAC) meetings were noted as upcoming venues for additional review.