School district approves $52.8 million budget

Levy monies coming next spring

The Moses Lake School board of directors approved the budget for the 2004-2005 school year, the first year of the new levy that passed last spring.

At $52.8 million, the estimated district budget continues to increase from previous years, allowing for new programs and ongoing maintenance of school facilities.

"There are so many things we have to keep up with now that the schools have been remodeled," Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Monte Redal said.

In response to additional funds in the school budget, Business Manager Carla Anderson said, "We have had a gradual growth due to enrollment and levy proposals."

These excess funds will help pay for programs such as fifth-grade swimming lessons, instruments for music students, classroom supplies and senior projects.

"We will have to start out small until levy funds from last spring are distributed," Redal said.

School officials had a slight scare earlier this year when their first attempt at passing a levy fell 28 votes shy of the 60 percent supermajority required required for approval.

State law allows for school districts to run a levy twice if the first attempt fails. The second election, held on April 27, passed with 64 percent of the vote following a strong public-relations campaign by community volunteers.

Funds from the levy passed last April will be distributed sometime next spring.

"The district is always very conservative when it comes to budgeting its money and fortunately has not run into problems with enrollment that other districts have," Anderson said.

There are 6,242 students enrolled in the MLSD for the 2004-2005 school year which is slightly below last year's enrollment, according to actual Full Time Equivalent (FTE) projections.

In addition to general fund projections, salary negotiations for the 400 nonteaching employees in the MLSD will be held Sept. 8 in front of a mediator.

"It has been three or four years since classified employees have received an increase in pay," Redal said.

With total revenues and levy funds projected to be up, according to figures from the district administration office, the district is on target to meet its objectives as outlined in the MLSD 2004-2005 strategic plan.

A few of these objectives include improving instructional technology, safety and security programs, and communication with parents and the community.

Garden Heights Elementary Principal Brad Smedley said he is encouraged by the way the district has and continues to handle budget planning.

"They (district) give us enough latitude to conduct learning to meet the needs of the students," Smedley said.