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District budgeting leans on conservative enrollment projection, cautious staffing strategy
Summary
Scott said budget enrollment assumptions include 100% retention from 2025–26 and a conservative 0.5% growth in the four‑year forecast; the district will rely on count day (fourth school day of September) to confirm classroom staffing needs and may start some classes with substitutes.
Michelle Scott explained the district’s enrollment assumptions used to prepare the proposed budget: the budget rolls forward a retention assumption from 2025–26, projects conservatively for kindergarten based on birth rates, and assumes a mild 0.5% growth in a four‑year forecast. She noted some ALE programs (Battle Ground Virtual Academy, River HomeLink, Summit View) show growth and that Running Start is passed through to higher education.
Scott also described operational implications: enrollment drives funding because state allocations are based on student time in school (FTE), and the district may not be able to confirm certain classroom staffing until count day (the fourth school day in September). She said the district may temporarily staff some classrooms with substitutes drawn from the RIF list until enrollment is finalized.
Why it matters: Enrollment assumptions determine staffing levels and revenue estimates; conservative projections aim to avoid overstaffing but can leave classrooms under‑resourced at the start of the year if enrollment exceeds projections.
