District projects $1.16M fund balance and says staffing restorations depend on July financials

Finance staff reported on July 22 that the Sultan School District projects an August 31 fund-balance of $1,158,321, an increase of about $142,000 from a prior estimate. That projection equates to roughly 2.9 percent of the district's budget; the district noted the usual 4 percent minimum balance requirement has been temporarily suspended for 2024–25.

A district finance presenter said salaries, benefits and materials are currently below proportionate share and that staff do not expect a budget-extension at this time. "We will be within budget capacity," the presenter reported during the monthly budget-status review.

Board members pressed for clarity about staff reductions and recalls. The superintendent said notices were issued in mid-June and that decisions about bringing displaced staff back will depend on the close of July financials and updated fund-balance projections. He asked for patience while staff completes month-end work. Trustees voiced a preference, where feasible, to return employees to the same positions they held before reductions rather than to reassign them permanently to other roles.

The superintendent listed several operational items being worked this summer — including scheduling fixes, added transitional-kindergarten sections and preschool moves contingent on county approvals — and said staff will report back as district finances are finalized.

Because exact rehiring dates and counts are contingent on finalized financials, trustees did not make firm commitments at the meeting beyond asking staff to prioritize restoring employees to prior positions when funds allow.