Despite being under a tight deadline, Medical Lake School District staff completed the 2015-16 fiscal budget in time for the board of directors to pass it at their July 28 meeting.
The general fund revenue is $20.41 million, with last year’s ending fund balance at $1.4 million. Expenditures are $20.81 million, 6.7 percent more than 2014-15.
Business manager Chad Moss projects an ending balance of $1 million.
Part of the reason for the expenditure increase is due to the 1.2 percent salary increase and 1.8 percent cost of living adjustment increase for staff.
“We also added a school resource officer and absorbed all STEM positions,” Superintendent Tim Ames said.
The district budgeted for 1,756 full-time equivalent students, along with 20 Running Start students. Ames said the enrollment projection is similar to last year, due to declines and Hallett Elementary School qualifying for all-day kindergarten funding.
Revenue for the capital projects fund is $3,000 from investment earnings with the previous year’s ending fund at $350,000, while expenditures are set at $325,000. The money from this fund could go toward a roof replacement or construction of a maintenance building. The ending balance for the capital projects fund is projected at $28,000.
The transportation fund revenue is estimated at $167,158 with $270,000 from last year’s fund. Expenditures are $265,000 and the district anticipates purchasing 1-2 new buses during the school year.
In regards to debt service, Medical Lake taxpayers will be assessed at $1.367 million with an estimate of $2.52 per $1,000. Moss said the district has collected over 100 percent of taxes from last year.
“We usually collect 98-100 percent every year, but we’ve been collecting more because people are catching up on their taxes,” Moss said.
ASB revenues are set at $315,000 with $90,000 left from last year’s ending fund balance. Expenditures are $338,020 and the ending fund balance is estimated at $67,040.
In addition to the budget, the board approved the first readings of several policies regarding electronic resources and Internet safety, excused and unexcused absences and child abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Ames said the policy about child abuse cleans up some of the existing language, as well as puts an emphasis on staff reporting abuse, even if they don’t necessarily have legal proof.
“If I hear about abuse happening on hearsay, I am still obligated to report it,” Ames said.
The board also approved the free and reduced price meal application and an amendment to the 2015-16 school calendar that establishes Jan. 29 as the last day of the first semester.
During his superintendent’s report, Ames presented a work plan draft for the district to enter into an agreement with Thoughtexchange, a software company that will create a forum to help the district connect and engage families and community members.
Ames explained that Thoughtexchange will create a forum and issue a “weather report” — a survey that presents district issues to community members, as well as asks their concerns.
The weather report also gauges the community’s confidence within the district. The district will take the feedback to identify concerns and priorities community members have.
“It can also be tailored to crisis-driven issues that are specific to schools, it doesn’t just have to be district wide,” Ames said.
Ames added that the district passed its annual bus inspection from Washington State Patrol.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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