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District finance presentation: Moses Lake reports cuts and rising special-education enrollment
Summary
The district's finance staff reported enrollment and FTE above budgeted levels, rising special-education enrollment (above 16% including pre-K), a $1.5 million October levy inflow, and year-to-date expenditure reductions of nearly $5 million; staff pledged more transparency and a community oversight committee.
Moses Lake School District finance staff presented a month-by-month budget status and warned of continuing pressures if revenue does not match projections.
Mitch, presenting the budget report, said district headcount was about 8,361 and that FTE remained above the board's budgeted target. He highlighted that special-education enrollment is increasing and that the district is “very close” to funding thresholds: "we're over 16% overall for our our overall SPED enrollment," he said, noting that pre-K screening increases could push the district further and risk underfunding.
Mitch said the district collected roughly $1.5 million in levy receipts in October, which helped keep cash positive for that month, but he cautioned November is a short apportionment month and the district must watch cash flow closely. He also reviewed multi-year expenditures and said the district has cut roughly $5 million in spending so far this year compared with prior years.
Superintendent Carol said the district will increase transparency by posting financial documents on the website, having board members review accounts payable before checks are issued and forming a financial oversight committee of community members. "We're going to watch everything like a hawk and we are going to take very good care of the community's money," she said.
No formal budget decisions were made at the meeting; staff will continue monthly reporting and present additional detail online and at upcoming community forums.
