The Federal Way Public Schools Board of Education unanimously adopted the 2015-16 budget on Tuesday, the first one “in a number of years” to be balanced, according to school officials.
The budget takes in nearly $31 million more in revenue than last year’s for a total of $271.5 million in the general fund. This leaves an estimated $18 million for the beginning fund balance.
“I want to take a moment to remind all of us that the only reason we really talk about budgets and the only reason we have money is to help support outcomes for students,” said Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Sally McLean at Tuesday’s board meeting.
The additional funding comes in part from an increased revenue contingency, a small increase in federal funding, an increase of $4.7 million of Educational Programs and Operations levy collection for 2016 and $23 million in state funding.
“I do want to compliment the Washington State Legislature for the work that they did do this last session because they did provide a significant increase for K-12 funding, including a COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for staff,” McLean said, adding that is also provides a challenge.
Because of a 30 percent discrepancy between revenue and expenditure, the state’s 3 percent COLA isn’t fully funded. In order to fund that, the district will need to collect roughly $4.8 million in voter authorized levy money in 2016.
“Of that $23 million [in state funding], 62 percent or $14.2 million comes with what I call, ‘strings attached,’” McLean told the board.
Nearly $6 million of those funds supports “programs that are categorical in nature,” such as Alternative Learning Experience; 1418, an Open Doors program that centers around drop out retrieval; Special Education; Career and Technical Education; English Language Learners; Learning Assistance Program and transportation. It also funds portions of the COLA, pension and health care increases.
The running start will also see a $600,000 allocation.
Basic education was also bolstered by $4.5 million, which generally pays for classroom teachers and support staff. Because of this, the district will add more teachers and staff.
“We saw an increase in class size reduction funding ($3.2 million) due to a very late rule interpretation by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction,” McLean said. “Actually, on Aug. 12, that has given us the opportunity to bring to you a budget that is actually balanced, assuming those rules stay in tact.”
Of the remaining $8.8 million in state funding, $7.2 million will go toward materials, supplies and operating costs, which will include investments in school buildings, roofs and boilers. This will cover inflation costs, an updated school district website, $200,000 in election costs for the upcoming technology levy, and the various leases the district has.
The district will also utilize $2.8 million to attract and retain the best staff through collective bargaining agreements.
“We have made a commitment to increase our building staff, particularly in our elementary schools,” McLean added, noting there will be an increase of family liaisons, counselors, deans and elementary assistant principals.
Other areas of the budget include the associated student body fund ($3.673 million), the transportation vehicle fund ($935,300), the debt service fund ($20.29 million) and the capital projects fund ($56.13 million).
School board members Hiroshi Eto, Claire Wilson, Danny Peterson and Carol Gregory complimented and thanked McLean for her work on the budget.
“There’s so much that goes into this budget, so much the community and public doesn’t understand,” Peterson said.
Gregory, also a state Representative, acknowledged the budget came late in the game because of the state.
“This isn’t a matter of having all spring and summer to work on this,” Gregory said. “This budget came late in July. I know the incredible (amount of) work that’s had to be done.”
For more information on the Federal Way Public Schools 2015-2016 budget, visit www.fwps.org.
