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Washtucna board hears budget is on track but superintendent warns cash reserves are declining
Summary
Business manager told the board November budget reports are on track and OSPI/ESD signed off on the year‑end report, but the superintendent warned the district has drawn down reserves over four years and expects tighter state funding ahead.
Business manager reported the district's November budget status is "right on track," and said OSPI and the Educational Service District have signed off on the end‑of‑year report.
Superintendent also reviewed the district's cash‑reserve trend, saying reserves have fallen from about $1.7 million on arrival to roughly $1.0–$1.1 million projected at year end. She said repeated deficit spending over the last two years and uncertain state funding mean the board will discuss reserves and expenditures more closely in the coming months. "We're projected right now at the end of this year to end with, between a 1 and a 1,100,000 cash reserve," the superintendent said. The superintendent recommended maintaining a higher reserve percentage for a small district (she said a 35–40% reserve is preferable to the state guidance of 10–15%).
Board members asked for comparisons and breakdowns to understand per‑district impacts and requested staff provide enrollment and co‑op participation data to assess shared costs. The board did not take formal action beyond asking staff to bring more detailed budget comparisons to a future meeting.
