Tumwater School Board adopts nearly $61 million budget

The Tumwater School Board unanimously approved a nearly $61 million budget on Thursday for the 2012-13 school year.

The district’s 2011-12 budget was about $60.4 million.

District officials predict stable-but-flat state and federal revenue for the upcoming school year, and are expecting operating costs to increase, according Allen Jones, director of financial resources.

“There’s a lot of changes in student learning – to improve achievement, and to improve assessment of students, teachers and now principals,” he said.

For example, the district is implementing a new “data dashboard” program. The software provides student performance data on a teacher’s desktop computer. The program’s tables and graphics allow teachers to quickly find out what’s working and where a student could use additional instruction in the classroom.  

In addition, the district has an increase in data collection and reporting costs that are associated with state and federal rules, Jones said.

To balance the books, the district trimmed about $400,000 in costs – largely through employee attrition.

It also plans to spend nearly $667,000 in reserves, Jones said.

That will leave the district’s total fund balance at about $4.6 million, he said.

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