2025-26 Budget Development

2023-2024 Expenditure charts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are deeply grateful to our community for your support in the passing of the 2024 School Construction Bond & Technology/Capital Levy. It is important to understand voter-approved bonds and technology/capital levies have funding restrictions and can only pay for the cost to replace old schools, build new ones, fund certain technology needs, and provide other long-term upgrades to buildings. These funds cannot be used for the general operating (day-to-day) costs of the district.

2024-25 Budget

As part of the 2024-25 budget development process, a $10.6 million shortfall was identified and implemented. 

2024-25 Budget Development2024-25 Citizen's Guide to the Budget2024-25 District Operating Budget (F-195 OSPI Report)

 

The current unassigned fund balance is at a level that if it decreases any further it could make it difficult for the district to cover expenses. At the beginning of this current fiscal year, the district had $11 million in reserves. To put that in perspective, the monthly payroll is approximately $29.6 million.

For the 2023-24 budget development process, the Board of Directors made the decision to use $2.3 million in reserves to mitigate some of the reductions to classroom teachers. This reduced the unassigned fund balance from 4 percent to 2.6 percent. This was intended to be a one-year temporary adjustment however with continued budget challenges we have not been able to restore the unassigned fund balance back to 4 percent. 

Building schedules for middle and high school classes is a comprehensive process with students at the center. Students play a pivotal role by providing input on courses and making choices on academic pathways. 

Below is an outline of the timeline and steps involved in this annual academic cycle:

Develop Course Options - Winter (updated annually)

Course options, both required and elective, are organized for students in a Curriculum Guide that is updated annually and made available on school websites ahead of student registration. When developing course options as a district, we prioritize the following: 

• Ensuring student access to courses that fulfill graduation requirements,
• Courses that allow students to pursue postsecondary goals,
• Equitable access to coursework for all students.

Gather Student Course Requests/Registration - Begins early spring in preparation for the upcoming year

Counselors work with incoming students in sixth grade and eighth grade as well as continuing students in middle and high school through the registration process. Students utilize the course options to submit course requests based on preferences and academic goals. 

Develop Course Offerings - Later spring in preparation for the upcoming year

Final course offerings are heavily influenced by student preferences. Principals and department heads analyze course requests and consider the following as they build class schedules:

• The number of requests for a particular course. In some cases, not enough students will sign up for a course and therefore, schools will be unable to run that course.
• The potential class sizes that are generated for a particular course. 
• The staffing resources available (teacher certifications and teacher availability). 
• How the courses interact and align in a master schedule that minimizes student scheduling conflicts and facilitates student enrollment in their desired courses.

Finalize Student Schedules - By the first day of school 

With new student enrollment and registration continuing through the spring and summer, students receive individual school schedules by the first day of school in the fall. 

The registration process is a collaborative effort. Student feedback and input are invaluable in shaping our curriculum and ensuring middle school and high school experiences are enriching and fulfilling.

If you have any questions or need guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out to an individual school administration.