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Yakima School District reports flattened enrollment trend, cash above projection ahead of budget hearing
Summary
District staff reported a mid‑year enrollment decline from October peak with a flattening trend and said cash remains above projection; staff outlined next steps toward a budget public hearing in late July and potential adoption in August.
At the June 15 meeting, district finance and operations staff briefed the board on enrollment, cash flow and budget timing ahead of the summer budget cycle.
Mr. Cooper reported peak FTE in October at 14,834 and said the May count was 14,516 — a decline the district characterized as "just under 280 students" from peak to trough. He said enrollment decline has flattened and the district built conservative enrollment projections into the budget that will be presented for public hearing in late July, with a potential adoption scheduled for Aug. 18.
On cash, Cooper said the district is running "about $4,000,000 above projection" at the moment but noted that year‑end purchasing tends to reduce that edge; he said a more accurate fund balance projection will be available at the budget hearing. Cooper also described that June count timing changed after COVID and explained the district counts over 10 months, noting operational implications for apportionment schedules.
"Cash remains slightly above projection," Cooper said, while noting the district will continue to monitor year‑end spending and the impact of enrollment assumptions on next year’s budget.
Board members asked for clarifications on counts and staff committed to provide verified enrollment numbers and updated projections at the upcoming budget hearings. The board set a tentative timeline to continue the budget process through the public hearing and potential adoption dates described by staff.
