Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bellevue superintendent says district restored reserves; projects roughly $22.9 million beginning balance
Summary
Superintendent Kelly Aramaki told trustees the district’s ending fund balance for 2025–26 is now projected at about $22.9 million, a major improvement after last year’s shortfall; staff said contingencies remain in place and the district hopes to exit OSPI binding conditions within a few years.
Superintendent Kelly Aramaki opened the meeting’s financial briefing by crediting months of fiscal controls and board oversight for a rapid turnaround in the district’s reserves. "We worked to build in about $7,500,000 in contingencies back into our budget," Aramaki said, and described a multi‑step recovery that began after an October 2024 budget shortfall.
Administrative staff told the board an updated projection for the district's ending fund balance for 2025–26 is now approximately $22.9 million, which will serve as the beginning balance for the 2026–27 budget. Lauren Tillman, executive director of business services, cautioned the figure is a projection with a range of roughly plus or minus $2 million and includes unspent grant carryovers: "The updated projection as of today ... is 22.9," she said.
Why it matters: district leaders said restoring reserves reduces reliance on interfund loans, provides cash‑flow flexibility around levy receipt months, and moves Bellevue closer to a board policy target of a 5% unrestricted fund balance. Aramaki told trustees the district expects to come out of OSPI binding conditions within the next several years if current trends hold.
What’s next: staff will present a detailed budget on Aug. 13 and host a public hearing before the board votes on resolutions and the final budget. The administration emphasized contingencies remain in the proposed budget and that the projected beginning balance is not a guarantee against future shortages.
