Waitsburg School District Approves 2015-16 Budget

WAITSBURG – During the July 29 public budget hearing, the Waitsburg School Board unanimously approved the proposed $4.1 million budget for the 2015-16 school year.

The 2015-16 budget is based on a total K-12 projected enrollment of 281.75 full-time-equivalent (FTE) students. For the 2014-15 school year, the district budgeted for 269.4 FTE and ended the year at 292.48.

Total expected revenues for 2015-16, based on projected enrollment and anticipated grant funds, is $3.9 million. Total projected program expenditures equal $4.1 million. When combined with the $11,500 the district transfers to either the capital projects or transportation/vehicle fund each year, the budget shows an excess of expenditures over revenues of $110,095.

Superintendent Carol Clarke said the state recommends districts carry a reserve-fund balance of 8 percent as a “rainy day fund” and to cover specifically designated expenses. Clarke said the district’s general fund generally runs at about 15 percent reserve, with two of the last 10 years dipping to 12 percent. The excess 2015-16 expenditures would leave the fund balance at $521,765, which is a 12.5 percent reserve.

Clarke said that 74.5 percent of expenditures are staff and benefits related. The 2015-16 increased expenditures are attributed to an increase in staff, salaries and benefits, an increase in contracted special services, student participation in supported employment, and athletic expenditures resulting from the dissolution of the Waitsburg-Prescott Combine.