Current Budget & Forecast
Budget Projections
Our costs are increasing faster than our revenue is growing. This is mainly because prices are going up (inflation) and student enrollment (revenue) has slowed, mostly due to low birth rates. Lower student enrollment = less state funding.
While we anticipate a revenue increase of 2.5 – 3% in 2024/25, our expenditures are projected to increase about 5%.
Proposed Reductions
PLSAS operates with educational costs per student nearly $2,500 lower than the state average. Despite this, we still face a financial challenge. To address this, we need both short-term and long-term solutions.
In the short term, we are looking at options to cut at least $4 million from our budget and use some of our savings (fund balance) for the 2024/25 school year. But even with these measures and efforts to increase enrollment for more revenue, it won't be sufficient to solve our long-term financial issues.
PLSAS’ current operating levy is one of the lowest in the state. That means we don’t have as much money as other districts to operate our schools and provide programming for students. That’s why the School Board is considering proposing an operating levy in the fall that would need voter approval. This levy would provide crucial support for our financial sustainability, allowing us to enhance programs and services that we know are valued by families and students. A final decision on these measures will be made at the June School Board meeting after thorough analysis.
Do Other Districts Have Funding Issues?
Yes. Like many school districts across our metropolitan area, we are having to manage rising costs, unfunded or underfunded state mandates and declining enrollment that is largely due to low birth rates in our state, all of which are contributing to necessary budget cuts.
Keeping You Informed
May 21, 2024 E-News
May 2024 Laker Connections
April 24, 2024 Town Hall Meeting
February 17, 2024 Column