How the Washougal School District Budget is Developed

Each year district leaders and the school board work through the budget planning process to create a roadmap that prioritizes student learning and important programs our community has identified through the strategic planning process.

This process begins each winter, and ends with the board adoption of the budget in August. During the process student, family, staff, and community priorities are identified through surveys, and this feedback is incorporated into the program and staffing plan.

Over the last five years, our enrollment has decreased by about 10%. Washougal experienced a significant growth in enrollment when families moved into the Sunset Ridge neighborhood in the early 2000s. As the last of that large wave of students graduates, our enrollment is projected to decline over the next four to five years. Enrollment is the primary driver of funding for our schools, so we are adjusting staffing to balance our budget, while still advancing student achievement.

Throughout the year, the board and leadership monitor the financial and enrollment data, and real-time adjustments are made to spending. The information about the budget and enrollment is posted to the website as part of our open and transparent board process. This lets community members with questions about the budget process review this data. We are also working to publish additional budget resources to our website to make sure we’re providing helpful and timely information about these processes.

WSD Budget cycle showing evolution from December presentation of governor's budget to August adoption, with public input, board oversight, and community input

Board Budget Presentation from the June 20, 2023 WSD Board Meeting

June 20, 2023 Board Budget Update including preliminary general fund and capital project fund budgets for the 2023-204 school year.  This includes historical information about the district’s enrollment, ending fund balance, state funding, and ongoing budget challenges.  Please read through this presentation to learn about our current staffing plan, general fund preliminary budget, capital project budget, and resources from the business office.

We don’t plan the budget. Rather, we budget the plan. – Kris Grindy, Business and Operations Director

Monthly Updates in Board Docs

Each month, a budget update is provided in the BoardDocs system to the Washougal School District board of directors.  Community members can find the budget updates in BoardDocs using this link, categorized by each month’s meeting.

Board presentations on the budget from the 2022-2023 school year

Additional information

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction provides detailed school apportionment and financial information. Please visit their website at http://www.k12.wa.us/ and click on School Apportionment to get this information.

Financial Charts and Information

Previous Year’s End of Year Budget Reports (updated after the closeout of each fiscal year, usually in November or December)

For Other Budget Data, please visit OSPI’s website and download the School Apportionment reports. Data is available for past school years.

ASB Budget Reports for 2SSB 6062 Compliance (at least last 5 years, law enacted 2012) are on the ASB Finance Info page, or you can find these on each school’s website under their Athletics and Activities page.

Board Enrollment and Staffing Update November 6, 2023

The board has reviewed the enrollment and staffing update, which includes updated projections based on September and October student enrollment.

Board approves budget August 23, 2023

The board has approved the budget for the 2023-2024 school year. The board reviewed the budget and the 2023-2024 Budget Presentation, which shares key information about the coming year.

Draft Budget Available July 10, 2023

A draft copy of the Washougal School District 2023-2024 budget is available for community members to review. The Washougal School District board of Directors will meet for a regularly scheduled board meeting on August 22, which will include a budget hearing to approve the budget.

Copies of the budget are also available for review at the WSD District Office, 4855 Evergreen Way.

These links provide the following draft budget documents:

  1. WSD F195 and F195F (entire draft budget document as submitted to OSPI)
  2. WSD 2023-24 Budget Four-Year Fund Summary draft for the 2023-24 school year budget plus the 2024-25 through the 2026-27 forecasted budget summary outlined by fund. The forecasted budget is based on information known at this time and may change based on future legislative changes or enrollment adjustments that would impact the district’s overall budget.
  3. WAC 392-123-054 which governs the budget adoption process for school districts, including providing information to community members about the budget process and how to provide feedback on the budget as it is developed and adopted.

Board Budget Presentation from the June 20, 2023 WSD Board Meeting

June 20, 2023 Board Budget Update including preliminary general fund and capital project fund budgets for the 2023-204 school year. This includes historical information about the district’s enrollment, ending fund balance, state funding, and ongoing budget challenges. Please read through this presentation to learn about our current staffing plan, general fund preliminary budget, capital project budget, and resources from the business office.

Monthly Updates in Board Docs

Each month, a budget update is provided in the BoardDocs system to the Washougal School District board of directors. Community members can find the budget updates in BoardDocs using this link, categorized by each month’s meeting.

Board presentations on the budget from the 2022-2023 school year