School board OKs policy changes, budget

MEDICAL LAKE – At its Nov. 26 meeting, the School District Board approved the final financial report for the 2023-24 school year, which detailed expenditures of nearly $32 million.

The board also addressed various items, including adjustments to competitive bid thresholds, propane contracts, and accommodating eighth-grade athletes for high school basketball.

Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Chad Moss, presented the financial summary:

• General Fund: Revenues totaled $30,970,937, while expenses reached $31,224,838, resulting in a deficit of $253,901. The shortfall was attributed to lower-than-expected enrollment, with 85 fewer students (1,688 total). Additional revenue from Impact Aid helped mitigate the deficit.

• Capital Projects Fund: Spent $342,052, exceeding its $311,106 revenue, leading to a $30,946 deficit, which was covered by carryover funds from the previous year.

• Debt Service and Transportation Funds: Combined revenues of $1,756,613 fell short of expenses totaling $1,809,297, creating a $52,684 deficit, also offset by prior-year surpluses.

“We completed several capital projects, and partial collection of new levy funds has provided greater flexibility for upcoming initiatives,” said Moss.

The board approved updates to Board Policy 6220, increasing the competitive bid threshold from $75,000 to $100,000, allowing the district to streamline projects and improve efficiency.

A new resolution, 24-25.01, was also passed, enabling the district to reimburse the general fund for certain expenses using proceeds from bond sales. Moss clarified the purpose of the resolution:

“This allows us to begin groundwork for projects like the Developmental Learning Center, shortening timelines and ensuring flexibility,” Superintendent Kimberly Headrick said. “With this approach, we can move forward more efficiently on critical projects.”

The board selected Valley Wide Cooperative, a Reardan-based company, to handle propane refills for the school district’s transportation department. The company will maintain the district’s 1,000-gallon propane tank through a competitive bidding process.

Due to low participation numbers, the board approved allowing eighth-grade students to join the high school basketball team.

High school head coach, Yeta Holloway, reported only 17 active players between varsity and junior varsity, with three players sidelined by injuries. Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) guidelines require at least 16 players to maintain eligibility.

“There are five fewer girls playing this year compared to last,” Holloway explained. “Sixteen is the magic number for WIAA, and injuries make it challenging to meet this threshold.” She noted a similar decline in participation for the school’s soccer program.