Local school districts pass 2014-15 budgets

EPHRATA - With the school year less than a month away, Columbia Basin school districts are adopting 2014-15 budgets.

The Ephrata School Board approved a general fund of $24.3 million. The general fund pays for most school operation, including salaries, maintenance and school materials. The Associated Student Body fund was projected at $475,000, and the debt service fund (paying for any district-issued revenue bonds) at $192,879.

The capital projects fund was set at $1,020,00, and in a separate action the board approved moving $500,000 from the general fund to capital projects.

District superintendent Jerry Simon said the district is adding portables at some schools to handle overflow. Site preparation is underway at Grant and Columbia Ridge elementary schools.

Ephrata's transportation vehicle fund, which is used to buy buses, was budgeted at $715,306. Simon said the district is planning to purchase five buses in the 2014-15 school year, and set up a purchasing schedule of about one bus per year for six years.

The Warden School District budgeted $11.2 million in its general fund, with an Associated Student Body fund of $312,511. The debt service fund is $504,125 and the capital projects budget was $270,000. The transportation vehicle fund was budgeted at $170,000.

The budget documents presented to the school board showed the district would use about $497,893 out of its reserve funds in the general fund for 2014-15.

Soap Lake School District officials budgeted a general fund of $6 million and $269,500 in capital projects. The debt service will be $276,795 and the Associated Student Body fund was budgeted at $49,941. The transportation vehicle fund was budgeted at $55,000.