Othello School Board approves 2018-19 budget

OTHELLO — The Othello School Board approved a $66,297,998 budget for the 2018-19 school year at the regular board meeting Monday.

Projected enrollment for 2018-19 is 4,434 students. The expenditure per pupil is about $14,952.

The general fund, which pays for most school operation including salaries, equipment and maintenance, was budgeted at $61,116,089.

The capital projects fund, which pays for construction and remodeling projects, was budgeted at $2,413,108. The debt service fund budget is $2,270,225; debt service pays for voter-approved construction bonds.

The Associated Student Body fund was budgeted for $458,576, and the transportation vehicle fund is projected at $400,000. Money in the transportation vehicle fund must be used to pay for school buses.

The budget includes bus purchases every other year for four years. Rebecca Montgomery, a consultant working with the district to prepare the budget, said the four-year projection is a new state requirement.

Enrollment for 2018-19 is projected to increase by 94 students. Montgomery said at an earlier meeting the enrollment projection advances the 2017-18 students one grade, with a provision for a kindergarten class that’s bigger than the graduating senior class.

Board member Ken Johnson asked about the funding for the district’s pre-kindergarten program. Montgomery said it’s funded through a mix of state basic school support and federal funds.

Johnson asked if district officials were still considering starting a non-profit group to help pay for the preschool program. District superintendent Chris Hurst said planning for a non-profit is underway, an organization that would provide support for the preschool program as well as other district programs.

The budget also includes a $2.2 million grant to reduce class sizes for kindergarten through third grade. In answer to a question from Johnson, Montgomery said the money had to be spent for construction or remodeling. Once the classrooms are built, they must be used for K-3 students for a minimum of five years.

Board member Jenn Stevenson asked if the district had a timeline for spending that money. Montgomery said they didn’t, at least not now. But at some point state officials may decide Othello doesn’t need the money if it’s not used, she said.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.