Baker School District Earns Budget Award
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, November 7th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – (Release from Baker School District) Baker School District has been presented with a Pathway to the Meritorious Budget Award “for excellence in the preparation and issuance of its budget for the Fiscal Year 2023- 2024” by the Association of School Business Officials International.
“We are so thankful for the hard work of our CFO, Regina Sampson, and her team in the Business Office that has resulted in this well-earned recognition,” says Superintendent Erin Lair.
Following the 2023-2024 budget plan has placed Baker School District in a solid financial position. The District budgeted for the current school year using the estimated $9.9 billion for State School Funds; and when that figure actually settled at $10.2 billion, the District did not adjust its budget up, allowing for the extra funds to be reserved for the fund balance. With the 2023-2024 budget including strategic investment for recruitment and retention, this refresh of the fund balance adds to the solid foundation of sustainability and longevity in the district financial picture.
The district also received additional Student Investment Account funding this year. The Student Investment Account is being used to support counseling and other student support services, as well as auxiliary programs and transitional kindergarten. These funds have been pivotal in adding these much-needed supports and enrichment for students in the District.
Identification and efficient utilization of revenues with ongoing careful consideration of expenditures will frame the upcoming budget. The successful presentation of the 2023- 2024 budget was due, in part, to reframing program budgets and account-level expenditures. The district will continue to examine these expenses against identified budget priorities and overall budget effectiveness while ensuring that all available revenues are captured.
The District will also continue to monitor enrollment to ensure that staffing levels are adequate. Prior enrollment forecasts have come in below actual reported enrollment, providing additional revenue. Those revenues are used to add mid-year staff when necessary or are flowed into the fund balance. The upcoming budget will utilize forecasted enrollment that shows a potential dip, much like forecasts in prior years.
Working to build on its award-winning 2023-2024 budget season, Baker School District has begun the budget process for next school year and is seeking input from students, families, staff, and the community regarding priorities for the 2024-2025 budget. A Budget Input Video and Survey will be available online from November 4-19 to discuss the process and gather important input. You can visit the Baker School District website and find information about the current and future budget on the Business Office department page.
