Balanced budget

Executive Director of Business Services Ted Cohan briefed the school board on the 2016-2017 General Fund Budget July 19 during a public work session. The proposed budget reflects a balance of revenue and expenditures while maintaining an 8% fund balance. Cohan reported the district received approximately $1.9 million dollars in new state revenue over the previous year’s allocation, but noted rising operational costs in personnel, utilities and other services exhaust most of these funds. The Teaching and Learning Department will receive an additional $350,000 this year to address curriculum adoption and professional development needs.

This year’s budget is based on a student enrollment target of 5760 FTE, up from the 5710 mark last year. Cohan said preliminary kindergarten registration numbers are strong, prompting the district to hire an additional kindergarten teacher.

The budget is presently under review by ESD 123 as required by state law and will be presented to the school board August 16 for approval consideration.