June 11, 2026 Selah School Board Study Session

The Selah School District held a study session on June 11, 2026, focused primarily on the upcoming 2026-27 budget presentation and financial outlook. District officials detailed a projected general fund deficit of approximately $732,000 against revenues of $67.7 million and expenditures of $68.5 million, driven largely by declining student enrollment and rising costs such as salaries, insurance, and special education services. The board discussed budget reduction strategies including staff position cuts totaling 27.2 FTEs, reallocations, and operating cost savings. They also reviewed capital projects funding, including ongoing turf and CTE facility projects, with a projected capital projects fund balance of $1.4 million after completion. The district emphasized conservative financial planning, projecting further enrollment declines and additional expenditure reductions over the next four years to maintain a minimum fund balance policy of 8%. The board was reminded of the importance of passing the local levy in 2027 to secure levy equalization funding. No new levies or bond measures were planned. The session included discussion of fee schedules, transportation vehicle replacement, and challenges related to special education staffing and nutrition program funding. Overall, the meeting focused on maintaining fiscal stability amid enrollment declines and funding gaps through careful budget management and planned expenditure reductions.