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Board hears budget outlook as grants and enrollment hold steady
Summary
District staff told the board projected enrollment is flat for next year, kindergarten numbers look stable, and staff reported active grant work including roughly $771,48 received this year and more than $1.1 million over three years; several partially funded projects will rely on saved funds or fundraising.
At the start of the meeting, board member Lisa gave the budget and finance report and said the district's projected enrollment for next year is expected to remain flat. "I do have projected enrollment staying very flat for next year," she said, and added that kindergarten numbers at Riverside Elementary and CES appear similar to the previous year.
Lisa outlined grant activity and capital needs. She said the district has secured grant awards this year and that "we have received $771,48 in grants this year" and "in the past three years ... over 1.1 million in grants," while acknowledging staff continue to apply for additional funding. She said some requests were partially funded or declined (citing an ADA-related grant that will be repackaged for future submission) and that the dishwasher project at CES and an FFA vehicle grant came in below the requested amounts.
"I'm going to apply for everything I can," Lisa said, describing a strategy to submit multiple applications across biennia to maintain eligibility for different funding cycles. She noted the FFA vehicle grant will award $40,000 toward a van she estimated will cost about $60,000–$70,000; staff and boosters plan to fundraise or repurpose saved funds if necessary.
Maintenance and capital items were also discussed: staff are evaluating chiller replacement work with a vendor and reported smaller maintenance projects such as a replaced water softener at Shadowy Elementary and grounds work. Lisa said the district has saved money from past budgets (she referenced roughly $500,000 in carryover) that can be used to supplement partially funded grants.
Board members asked procedural questions about grant award versus proposed amounts and whether awards apply for a single year; Lisa and other staff explained some grants are one-time awards while others are biennial and that staff and volunteers will continue pursuing funding and fundraising as needed.
The superintendent later tied budget planning to the board calendar and strategic goals, asking the board to schedule regular report-outs on student learning metrics so resources and budget priorities align with district goals.
