Tumwater School District estimates $4.8M general fund balance

The Tumwater School District reported an estimated $4,805,488 general fund balance for the upcoming 2025-26 school year.

The budget is around on a projected decrease of 39 to 40 students, with probable increases in the special programs, such as New Market Skills Center, Running Start and Alternative Learning Experience. That would help offset the projected decline total enrollment.

To increase the ending fund balance by $1,402,783 for the fiscal year 2025-26, the district is keen on taking out another interfund loan in September. 

An interfund loan would transfer cash reserves from capital projects to the general fund for the district to meet all of its cash obligations within a given month.  

The loan amount is originally paid back to the originating fund with interest, but state laws do not require any interest for the upcoming loan. 

Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Ben Rarick said on Thursday, July 24, that without the loan, the district’s balance would plummet to $2,197,217.  

“We put $1.4 million in cash in our treasurer's account for the general fund, but without the loan, we would be at negative $2.2 million,” Rarick said. 

In January, the district filed for its first interfund loan and will repay the amount in August. The payment is needed in order to take out another loan.  

The resolution for the loan will either be incorporated in the budget resolution or a separate resolution. 

Budget hearings 

The next step after the preliminary reading is the public advertisement of hearings to be held on July 30, Aug. 6, Aug. 13 and Aug. 20. 

The first budget hearing date is set for Aug. 14 with the second hearing date and potential adoption on Aug. 28. 

The budget was submitted for technical review by the Capital Region Educational Service District 113 on July 10.