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Vashon Island School District projects small budget gap; Schools Foundation pledges $370,000
Summary
Finance staff told the board the district projects roughly $29.5 million in revenue against about $30 million in expenditures, which could require a roughly $575,000 draw on fund balance; the Schools Foundation pledged $370,000 to support counselors and other priorities.
Vashon Island School District finance staff presented a budget update showing projected revenue of about $29.5 million for the coming year and expenditures that currently project slightly higher, leaving a potential gap that could require using roughly $575,000 from the district's unassigned fund balance.
Cassie, presenting the monthly finance report, said the revenue projection is built on an enrollment assumption of 1,313 AAF FTE and that staff are aligning personnel to student needs rather than invoking a formal reduction in force; she estimated the net staffing alignment would equate to about two fewer positions overall next year.
Why it matters: Administrators warned that insurance (the district risk pool) and utility costs have risen sharply, transportation remains costly and the net effect is a projected draw on reserves. The Schools Foundation has pledged $370,000 in community-raised funds to support high-priority programs, including middle-school counseling, an ELA teacher on special assignment and enrichment programs, which would substantially reduce the projected draw if the funds are received as anticipated.
Numbers reported at the meeting: - Projected revenue: approximately $29.5 million (based on 1,313 AAF FTE). - Projected expenditures: ~ $30.0 million (staff noted a conservative estimate and ongoing work to close the gap). - Projected fund-balance draw: approximately $575,000. - Schools Foundation pledge: $370,000 to support counseling and program priorities.
Officials noted the district remains above its minimum policy for fund balance but emphasized that repeated draws would reduce flexibility. The board discussed budget adoption timing: staff proposed presenting the finalized budget at the May 28 business meeting with a public hearing and adoption vote in June, in line with system migration deadlines.
What the board will do next: Administrators will finalize numbers using April revenue updates, continue route/transportation analysis and bring a budget document to the May 28 meeting. The board did not take a final budget vote at this meeting.
Quotes: "We are aligning staff to the students we have," Cassie said, emphasizing that the district had not invoked a formal reduction in force but was planning fewer provisional positions next year. Superintendent Dr. Mocha thanked the Schools Foundation for the pledge and emphasized the funds' targeted use for counseling and curriculum support.
The board will review the finalized budget at the May 28 meeting and aims to adopt it by the end of June.
