The Rainier School District Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve the adoption of the district budget for 2025-26 at its regular meeting on Wednesday, July 30.
The vote was preceded by a budget hearing and presentation from Debi Holmes, the district’s business manager.
During her presentation, Holmes said that the budgeted enrollment for 2025-26 is 937, down slightly from last year’s number of 944. Budgeted staffing is down three certificated positions, going from 68 in 2024-25 to 65 in 2025-26, but up nearly three classified positions, going from 41 to 43.6.
The district’s beginning general fund balance heading into 2025-26 is projected at $3,100,000, “based on all departments maximizing grant opportunities and operating within budget parameters for the current year,” as written in the presentation.
The district’s projected revenues and other financing sources is $17,233,739. Its expenditures are budgeted at $17,899,011. Transfers out, which includes payment for the district’s non-voted debt and transportation vehicle fund, is budgeted at $102,875.
Projected excess expenditures over revenue would result in an ending fund balance of $2,331,853. Despite this loss in overall general funding, budgeted revenue is up nearly $2 million from 2023-34.
Holmes noted that the district did not budget for funding from Title II and Title IV, two initiatives that traditionally support a wide range of educational needs.
According to the presentation, 51 percent of budgeted expenditures sorted by programs will go towards basic education. 25 percent will go towards support services, which include items such as maintenance, transportation and food service. 13 percent is budgeted for special education.
Additionally, the district expects to receive $1,427,230 in revenue from the state for materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC). Excess expenditures would come out of the district’s levy money.
