Budget Information
2024-25 EPS Budget Information
Evergreen Public Schools will need to cut $16 million to $20 million to achieve a balanced budget for 2024-25. As we go through the process to determine where reductions will be made, we are sharing information with, and seeking feedback from, all of our stakeholders.
For more detailed information on the factors involved, please watch the video to the right of the recent Community Budget Engagement Meeting. The slideshows from the presentation are below:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be budget cuts for the 2024-25 school year?
Yes. Based on projected expenses and revenue, EPS will need to cut $16 million to $20 million for 2024-25.
Why is Evergreen Public Schools having to make reductions?
Enrollment decline: State funding is allocated by student enrollment. EPS has approximately 4,000 less students than it had in 2017. That equates to about $40 million loss in Basic Ed funding per school year
Inadequate state funding: The 2019 McCleary decision overhauled the formula used to determine school funding, The funding model does not provide sufficient revenue to pay for staffing raises and programming costs.
Special Education is not fully funded by the state. Last year EPS had $14 million in Special Education costs that were not covered by state funding.
Unfunded mandates: The state of Washington requires some curricula and programs for which it does not provide funding. Schools must pay for these programs to fulfill these requirements.
Inflation: The rising costs of goods and services nationally and globally takes a bigger chunk out of our budget.
The state does not provide adequate funding to support staff salaries and benefits, leaving a large gap that EPS must make up with levy dollars.
End to COVID relief: The one-time COVID-19 relief funding (ESSER and state stabilization funds) that helped schools weather the pandemic expense storm are now exhausted. These federal dollars temporarily helped schools overcome funding challenges, including insufficient funding provided via the state’s prototypical funding formula. With these funds no longer available after the 2023-24 school year, districts must make difficult decisions to balance their budgets.
Will there be staff reductions?
Yes, budget reductions of this magnitude cannot be accomplished without eliminating staffing positions. EPS needs to adjust staffing numbers to align with declining enrollment numbers.
Do the initial recommendations include cuts at the District Office?
Yes, the recommendations include a 15% cut at the District Office(ASC)
30 total positions
That’s about a 3 to 1 ratio compared to reductions at the school level
That equates to an over $3.5 million dollar reduction at the District Office
This would represent a 24% reduction at the District Office over a 3 year period
Who can I speak to in state government about funding for public schools?
The enrollment area for Evergreen Public Schools is divided into three state legislative districts. Click here to learn which senators and representatives represent your home address and how to contact them.
Budget Factors and Process
What is the budgeting process at EPS?
The budgeting process typically takes 8 months to complete, usually beginning in January. However, because of the challenges we anticipate for the 2024-25 school year, the process started in November 2023.
In February, student enrollment numbers are forecasted, which drives the majority of state and federal funding. In March, teacher allocations are calculated and shared with individual schools. From January through April, the Washington state legislature compiles the state budget. The final legislative decisions made can have a significant impact on the District’s budget for the following year. In March, if necessary, EPS budget reduction decisions are made by the Superintendent and leadership team and recommended as a Modified Educational Plan to the Board of Directors. Budgets are then shared with the schools and various departments. The tentative budget is made publicly available in mid-July, a budget presentation and public hearing is conducted in August and the School board adopts the final budget at the end of August.
What factors impact the budget?
Student Enrollment: The number of students we serve is the major driver of over 80% of our funding. In the last seven years, EPS enrollment has declined by over 4,000 students, which equates to a 15.3% drop in enrollment. The number of students served drives the state funding for staffing, supplies and services, Transportation, Special Education, LAP, Highly Capable and English Language Learners programs as well as Federal funds for programs like Nutrition Services, Title I and Title II. Currently, the state funds districts over $10,000 per student in Basic Ed funds.
Levy Equalization Dollars: LEA funds are distributed by the state to help equalize levy funds across districts. The enrollment decline combined with the rapid increase in local property assessed values result in a significant decrease in equalization funds for the District.
Federal ESSER funds are grant funds allocated by the state to assist with the impacts of Covid-19. These one-time funds will not be available after the 2023-24 school year.
Inflation: Although inflationary factors have been reflected in state funding formulas, it has not kept up with actual costs and falls short of the true expenses associated with operating a school district. Local funding support is also impacted by inflation. Levy collection amounts are voted on and set for multiple years at a time and as a result, do not keep up with inflationary factors.
Unfunded mandates : The state of Washington requires some curricula and programs for which the state does not provide funding to implement. Schools must scrape together funds to implement and support these programs.
Fund balance: District policy requires EPS to maintain a 5% fund balance. Without this money, the district would not be able to pay its bills.
What does the District spend money on?
More than 85% of the District’s budget pays for salaries and benefits for employees. The remainder goes toward supplies, materials, curriculum, insurance, utilities, device lease payments, contractual services and other such expenses. The contracts for custodial and food services make up over 4% of total expenditures.
Can the money that we spend on building new schools or for new school buses be spent on District operations?
No, a school district’s budget is made up of five distinct funds: the General Fund, Capital Projects Fund, Debt Service Fund, ASB Funds and Transportation Vehicle Fund. The General Fund pays for day-to-day school operations and staffing, and the other funds have specialized purposes including long term construction, accounting for bonds, student extracurricular activities and school bus purchases.
Can local levy dollars cover budget shortages?
Local levy dollars make up about 12% of the total General Fund revenue. These funds allow the district to provide support and services for students including counselors, nurses, support staff, special education services, arts, athletics and extracurricular programs. For 2024-25, the increase in annual levy funds collected is not enough to cover the total projected decrease in funding due to the significant enrollment decline, the depletion of one-time ESSER funds and increased inflationary costs.
Is Evergreen the only district in our area dealing with major budget issues?
Multiple school districts in the state and region are facing significant budget cuts, highlighted by recent news stories. You can learn more about the statewide challenge regarding school funding on our local ESD 112 website.
Can we save funds by eliminating the free breakfast/lunch program?
No, free breakfast and lunch for all EPS is funded by a Federal USDA program based on a certain percentage of our families falling under an income threshold. Those meals are not funded by the EPS budget.
Budget Survey Feedback
Superintendent Boyd and the Board of Directors would like to thank all of those in our school community who took the time to fill out the budget survey. The input and ideas that were shared will be considered in the decision making process. Below is a summary of the responses.
Budget Survey Themes
Preserving Educational Programs: Maintaining programs such as music, arts, academics, sports, and extracurricular activities are essential components of a well-rounded education.
Advocating for Student Support: The District should prioritize maintaining student support systems, small class sizes, and after-school activities that contribute to the emotional and physical well-being of students.
Budget Efficiency and Creativity: There should be a reduction in administrative positions, cuts at the ASC, and a focus on finding new ways to obtain funding and exploring alternatives to budget cuts to maximize spending towards programs that directly benefit students.
Mental Health and Specialized Support: Support for mental health and specialized programs like special education highlight the importance of catering to the diverse needs of students for a holistic educational experience.
Equity and Inclusion: A focus on equity and inclusion helps ensure that resources are directed toward the students who need them the most to make sure that equal opportunities and access to quality education are available for all students.
Transparency and Communication: Everyone wants transparency in the decision-making processes and ongoing communication with stakeholders is crucial for building trust and ensuring that the community is informed about budget decisions.
Prioritizing Teachers: Respondents recognize the vital role teachers play in education and the importance of ensuring that resources are directed toward educators who directly work with students.
Messages to Community on Budget Process and Engagement
January 26, 2024: Follow-up Message on Budget Engagement and Survey
January 10, 2024: Message on Community Engagement for 2024-25 Budget
November 15, 2023: Message to Community with Updates on 2024-25 Budget
Budget Update Board Presentation (Nov. 14, 2023)
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Budget Guiding Principals
Goal: Employ district equity lens and strategic plan core values and priorities when considering budget decisions.
Guidelines:
Keep students furthest from educational justice at the center
Strive to maintain a diverse workforce
Think holistically versus individually; long term versus short term to avoid unintended consequences
Engage stakeholders thoughtfully to ensure feedback and accountability with good stewardship of public funds
Normas para el presupuesto
Objetivo: Utilizar la perspectiva de equidad del distrito, los valores y las prioridades centrales del plan estratégico al considerar las decisiones presupuestarias.
Normas:
Mantener como prioridad a los estudiantes más lejanos de la justicia educativa.
Esforzarse por mantener una fuerza laboral diversa.
Razonar holísticamente versus individualmente; largo plazo en lugar de corto plazo para evitar consecuencias no deseadas.
Involucrar a las partes interesadas cuidadosamente para garantizar la retroalimentación y la rendición de cuentas con una buena administración de los fondos públicos.
Рекомендации по бюджету
Цель: использовать принципы школьного округа в отношении соблюдения справедливости и основные ценности и приоритеты стратегического плана при рассмотрении бюджетных решений.
Руководящие принципы:
В центре внимания должны быть учащиеся, которые наиболее отдалены от справедливости в сфере образования
Стремиться к сохранению многообразия рабочих ресурсов
Мыслить целостно, а не индивидуально; долгосрочно, а не краткосрочно, чтобы избежать непредвиденных последствий
Продуманно привлекать заинтересованные стороны для обеспечения обратной связи и подотчетности при надлежащем управлении государственными средствами.
Budget Related Media Coverage From Other Districts
As Oregon districts face budget squeezes, school closures loom
Washougal schools to community: Where would you make cuts?
Camas school board hears update on ‘choice schools’ after budget cuts, school mergers
Wenatchee District Closing Columbia Elementary After School Year
Evergreen, Vancouver public schools brace for staff cuts in 2024
Marysville School District budget cuts could shut down sports programs, entire schools
Enrollment woes leave Washington school closures on the table
Seattle Public Schools is facing a $100 million shortfall for 2024-25
The Olympia School District is debating closing schools to deal with its budget deficit.
The Washougal School District is making staff reductions in response to declining enrollment.
The Bellevue School District is studying closing and consolidating schools
The Shoreline School District is making staff reductions to deal with a $10 million shortfall
Questions?
If you have questions regarding the Evergreen Public Schools budget, please ask them by E-mailing BudgetQuestions@EvergreenPS.org.
State Legislative Contacts
The enrollment area for Evergreen Public Schools is divided into three state legislative districts. Click here to learn which senators and representatives represent your home address and how to contact them.