La Grande School Board to Review Financial Reports, Budget Outlook March 11

The La Grande School Board during its regular session on Wednesday, March 11, will discuss financials and consider several items that could shape the district’s budget and curriculum priorities. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the board room at the district office, 1305 N. Willow St., in La Grande, and the meeting also can be accessed online via Google Meet or by phone at 401-702-0445 with PIN 315 238 405#.

Agenda entries listed in the public meeting notice include the annual verified statement of economic interest, an annual update on the PERS pension obligation bond, information on five year maintenance and high cost capital projects, and “School board members will also consider adopting the social studies curriculum.” Those items place personnel, long-term debt and capital planning on the same agenda as a curriculum adoption decision that could draw public testimony.

Historical budget materials in the district’s budget message provide context for fiscal deliberations. District budget documents state an “estimated $3.35 million ending fund balance for the 2020-21 fiscal year.” The same budget message said, “In summary, due to the impact of the pandemic, LGSD will be implementing a general fund budget that is roughly $252,604 more than the previous year” and warned, “We will be underfunded by at least 60 students due to the anticipated enrollment decline, which accounts for $516,000 of this reduction.”

Earlier budget reports show scale and reliance on one-time federal funds. The 2021–22 General Fund was proposed at $27,070,982, described as “a modest increase of $252,604 over the prior year budget of $26,818,378,” and the total proposed 2021–22 budget was listed as $44,345,688 reflecting the use of federal funds. More recently, the board voted 4-0 on June 28 to adopt a general fund budget of $32.025 million for 2023–24, up $668,000 from the prior year.

The meeting notice repeats that “The meeting also can be accessed online via Google Meet,” signaling remote participation remains available for those unable to attend in person. Telephone access information is explicit: “To access the meeting by phone, call 401-702-0445. The PIN is 315 238 405#.”

The board’s March 11 agenda brings capital planning into focus alongside pension-bond reporting and curriculum action. The five year maintenance and high cost capital projects briefing could intersect with municipal capital activity in La Grande, where recent city staff reports have recorded progress payments and roof and façade work on downtown properties. Attendees watching the 7 p.m. session by Google Meet or phone will hear staff reports and any motions the board takes on the listed items.