Wenatchee School Board Passes Budget

The Wenatchee School District's 2021-2022 budget is in place after months of work by staff and community members.

Executive Director of Business Janette Bumgarner said declining enrollment, partially due to the start of Pinnacles Prep Charter School, is mostly the reason the budget ended over $4.5 million in the red. The district is planning on cutting costs in the near future.

"We're going to be starting on that process this year as much as we can and as much is feasible." explained Bumgarner, "Going into next school year we'll be looking at some staffing adjustments and things."

CARES Act funds, which are largely reimbursements from the federal government, are also affecting both sides of the budget and will likely continue to do so for the next couple of years.

Although the district's General Fund fell by more than $2.8 million, to total fund balance is still above the school board's minimum of 5% of expenditures. The General Fund's balance dropped by nearly one third year over year.

The district's 4-year plan was recently approved by the school board as well.

A copy of the materials reviewed in August's budget meeting can be found here. A short description of the budget can be found here. Other materials can be found in the August 10th and 24th school board meetings, located here.