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USD 379 finance update: enrollment down about 100 students; district considers one‑time moves to shore up special‑education funding
Summary
District finance staff told the board that enrollment has declined by just over 100 students in two years, explained how the three‑year average temporarily cushions funding, and said the district currently supplements roughly $750,000 annually from the general fund for special education; staff proposed using one‑time funds for one‑time expenses and considering a year‑end transfer to fund special education.
District finance staff presented a budget and enrollment update that flagged an ongoing enrollment decline and its effect on revenues and long‑term planning.
Staff said the district has lost just over 100 students in the last two years and that the three‑year average funding method has temporarily increased reported enrollment for budget calculation this year. That averaging, staff explained, delays the full fiscal impact of enrollment declines but will phase out over time and could accelerate future revenue shortfalls if the district’s headcount rebounds relative to prior years.
On special education funding, staff said the district currently supplements roughly $750,000 from the general fund to cover special‑education costs. “If the state were to fully fund special education to the statutory level, our budget problem solves itself overnight because all of a sudden, we're not supplementing 750,000 from general fund over to special ed,” the presenter said; the transcript does not identify a statute by name.
Staff outlined options to smooth the transition: use one‑time funding for one‑time expenses (for example, accelerate HVAC lease payoff or other non‑recurring costs), consider pulling some one‑time carryover into special‑education fund 30 as a planned transfer, and engage the community and legislators on funding priorities. Staff emphasized they do not recommend building one‑time proceeds into ongoing salary commitments.
Next steps Staff will continue closing out fiscal year work in May and June, present options for year‑end transfers and one‑time expenditures, and return with recommendations the board can act on before final budget adoption later in the summer.
