TONASKET – Tonasket School District board members adopted the budget for 2016/17 following a presentation by External Business Manager Trisha Schock and Assistant Business Manager Bobbi Catone, and the recommendation by Superintendent Steve McCullough for the board to approve the budget as presented.
The budget appropriates $14,351,402 for the general fund, $202,088 to the associated student body fund and $350,000 to the transportation vehicle fund. There were no dollars appropriated to the debt service fund or capital projects fund.
The budget meets the 2016-17 goal of having a seven percent unreserved fund balance of $998,537.
“That was a board-directed goal, and we are there, so that’s fantastic,” said Schock.
Revenues coming into the general fund this year compared to last year are local taxes at $1,591,860 ($1,604,300 for 2015-16), local support nontax at $1,089,375 ($1,018,461), state, general purpose at $8,173,275 ($7,481,439), state, special purpose at $2,076,397 ($1,955,917), federal, general purpose $125,000 ($105,000), federal, special purpose $1,265,495 ($1,252,232), revenues from other school districts $10,000 ($10,000), other agencies and associates $20,000 ($13,500) and other financing sources $0 ($2,500).
The bulk of the general fund revenues, 57 percent, is made up of state, general purpose funds followed by state, special purpose funds at 14 percent and local taxes at 11 percent. Schock said the increased state revenue was due to increased enrollment.
General fund expenditures are 48 percent for regular instruction, 25 percent for support services, nine percent for compensatory education instruction, eight percent for special education instruction, seven percent for other instructional programs and four percent for vocational education instruction.
Support services include transportation, maintenance and the district office. Schock said she increased the support services budget this year to include some capital maintenance.
McCullough thanked both Schock and Catone for their work on the budget.
“Tons and tons of work has gone into this and I really appreciate it,” said McCullough.
In other school district news, the board approved the hiring of Synthia Edwards as a fifth grade teacher, Tammy Holmes as a kindergarten teacher, Blaire Tocher as a special education paraeducator, Casey Haley for the resource room and as a transition teacher and Whitney Massart as the JV girls soccer coach.
The bond committee is being formed, with Clint Duchow taking over for Patti Hill as the committee chair.
“Patti has served well as co-chair for the past two campaigns but has decided to step aside,” reported McCullough. “We certainly appreciate all the effort and time Patti put forth for the school.”
McCullough reported the mold problem at the high school has been resolved.
