School Board unanimously approves 2014-15 budget

The district remains on solid fiscal ground following the Board of Directors’ unanimous approval of the $67.5 million 2014-2015 General Fund Budget. The General Fund maintains a $5.8 million reserve or approximately 8.7 percent.

Executive Director of Business Services Ted Cohan says a fund balance in excess of eight percent is considered outstanding. He also reported the approved General Fund Budget contains no recurring expenses from the fund balance. Superintendent Dr. Bill Jordan insisted on this budgeting strategy. Jordan said taking recurring expenses from reserves is not sustainable.

The 2014-2015 General Fund Budget is based on student enrollment of 5975 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) students. Last year the district set its enrollment budget target at 6117 FTEs, but the actual school year average came in at 6040. The scaled back enrollment estimate for this year is a conservative target, according to Cohan. He stated he anticipates it coming in slightly higher, but wanted to build in a cushion in light of last year’s missed estimate. Each FTE student generates nearly $6000 in state revenue.

2014-2015 Approved Budgets
General Fund $67,555,250
ASB Fund $1,217,118
Debt Service Fund $3,566,244
Capital Projects Fund $788,303
Transportation Fund $272,914

Enrollment Targets for 2014-15
5975 FTEs 14-15 Budget target
6117 FTEs 13-14 Budget target
6040 FTEs 13-15 actual average

Subject to Change: Currently, 45 College Place 9th grade students have elected to attend Wa-Hi this school year. Approximately 18 Wa-Hi 9th grade students to date have “choiced” to attend College Place High School. This is presently a net 27 FTE for WWPS.