Board hears budget report as enrollment dips; debt-service timber dollars noted as surplus

Finance staff presented the monthly budget and enrollment report and described pressures that could affect next year's planning.

Staff reported April apportionment receipts of roughly $6–7 million, expenditures around $5.5 million, and net cash near $1.2 million. The general fund held about $9.6 million in cash and investments (reported as approximately 14% of a $70 million budget), and the board's minimum reserve policy (5%) was met. Staff said the debt-service fund tied to timber dollars was above projection: $175,000 actual versus a $120,000 budget line, and that those timber dollars have accrued to nearly $2.5 million to be used for capital projects such as a stadium.

Transportation funds showed a roughly $112,000 reduction caused by state funding-software inaccuracy; staff said OSPI is reinstating the funds. Staff warned of a broader trend of declining enrollment tied to a "baby bust" and of rising costs for insurance and diesel, and said they expect to watch the budget closely. "My prediction is that we'll be a little bit in the deficit this year once we finalize our budget planning," staff said, adding that the district has undesignated reserves that other districts lack and that layoff notices were not required because of statutory deadlines.

Enrollment was reported at about 816 students on average, with kindergarten pre-enrollment near 60 (expected to approach 70). Staff said they are not approving new enrollments for the current year and are watching kindergarten numbers for next-year projections.