Budget Process

Each year we have a process for adopting our district budget. Once per month, the school board is updated on our current budget. Those budget status updates are posted below and also on BoardDocs.

Starting in January, we ask our district directors and principals to submit requests for the next year’s budget. Requests are typically items that are not already funded or areas where budgets can be reduced or reallocated based on emerging needs. We also solicit feedback from staff, families and the community to establish budget priorities. Our district executive team reviews those requests and feedback, then continues to process with staff throughout the spring to establish our priorities and budget recommendations. Our budget proposal is presented to the school board in June for approval.

Budget Information

2024-25 School Year

2023-24 School Year

District Budget

Below are our budget status reports for each month. These can also be found on BoardDocs.

How are school districts funded?

School districts receive money from four sources the federal government (about 12%), Washington state (about 69%) and local (about 18%).

The federal government provides financial support for high-poverty schools and students who require additional resources in order to obtain a fair, equitable, high-quality education. Federal dollars pay for a percentage of programs including Vocational Education, Special Education, Native American Education, English Language Acquisition, Disability and Nutrition as well as special grants.

The Basic Education Act of 1997 set a formula for giving each of the state’s school districts a certain dollar amount for every Full Time Equivalent (FTE) student (or, each student attending school all day). For students who need extra services, such as Special Education programs, Gifted Education, or Bilingual Education, there are state and federal formulas for additional dollars. 

Additional state funding is provided for salaries for teachers with advanced degrees as well as for districts with fewer than 300 students.

Local funding is generated through levies and bonds approved by the voters. Both are based upon local property valuations—property owners pay a set amount for each $1,000 of property value. Once approved, bond and levy amounts cannot increase with property values. When property values increase in a community, the amount paid per $1,000 decreases. Senior citizens and low income property owners may apply for an exemption from bond and levy taxes.

How did Meridian School District use ESSER funds?

Congress set aside federal funds to serve as emergency relief funds to address the impact that COVID-19 has had on schools. The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and provided the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Fund). There were two distributions of ESSER funds.

Meridian School District used these funds to secure personal protection equipment for safety measures, provide remote access, teaching tools and supplies, as well as additional staffing to meet student needs. Meridian School District was also fortunate to receive additional funding from the Whatcom County Council Cares Grant to help pay for the lease of student and teacher devices necessary to provide a remote learning option. Additionally, the Whatcom County Health Department provided funding through their Whatcom County CARES Health Grant, providing funds to purchase online curriculum, assessment software, learning resources, communication tools, software and additional classroom space.

We shared on Dec. 4, 2021 how MSD used the ESSER funds allocations.

American Rescue Plan (ARP), Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III) Local Education Agency (LEA) Application 2021-22

Contacts

Daniel Yorton

Director of Business and Finance
360-988-3840

Resources:

WASA School Funding Website