La Conner School Board members voted 4-0 on Monday to approve a nearly $1 million budget extension for the 2024-25 fiscal year that ends Aug 31.
La Conner Schools Superintendent David Cram said the budget adjustment is the result of several factors: increased special education costs, a shortfall of about $100,000 in federal impact aid money that will instead arrive in the 2025-26 fiscal year, and receipt of a $100,000 grant to renovate the high school culinary arts classroom.
Cram added that the district is optimistic it will also soon receive state “Safety Net” monies made available to school districts eligible for special education funding beyond what has otherwise been provided.
“We’re thinking that will be in the $600,000 range,” Cram said.
Board president Susie Deyo pointed out that budget extensions address both revenue and expenditure adjustments.
Also at the meeting, District Director of Teaching and Learning Beth Clothier, alluding to the restoration of previously frozen federal education funds, said that the new Brave Beginnings pre-kindergarten program is set to launch in October. She said that interviews for the program’s classroom teacher will be held next week.
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter who covers Town government, schools, and spot news.
