Board adopts 2025–26 budget after debate; amendment to fund district‑wide 3‑day fifth‑grade camp fails

The Kent School District Board adopted the 2025–26 budget resolution after a lengthy presentation and public testimony; the board rejected an amendment that would have added district funding to restore a three‑day fifth‑grade outdoor education program.

The budget adoption matters because school officials said the district faces a projected $14.9 million deficit for 2025–26 and multi‑year deficits thereafter unless the district implements ongoing budget balancing measures. Board adoption sets the budget the district will submit under state law while staff and the board continue planning for mid‑summer contract deadlines for outdoor education dates.

Raul Peranguo, executive director of finance, presented updated revenue and expenditure forecasts and said the proposed 2025–26 budget shows a projected deficit of about $14.9 million and an estimated unassigned ending fund balance of about 7.3 percent — above the board policy minimum of 5 percent but trending toward larger deficits in future years without additional balancing measures. Peranguo told the board that state funding changes removed approximately $800,000 previously used for multi‑day outdoor education; the proposed budget contains roughly $338,000 that would support an extended one‑day outdoor education experience in 2025–26.

Peranguo described the district’s longer forecast and said that without permanent budget balancing solutions the district could see the ending fund balance decline into negative territory by fiscal year 2028–29. He told the board, “if we assume that we're going to make budget balancing solution of $7,500,000 every year for the next 3 years…in order for us to be able to rectify this, we need to figure out ways to balance our budget in the next 4 years.”

The board debated an amendment to the adoption resolution that would have required the district to pay “all additional costs to have a 3‑day camp experience for fifth graders” in 2025–26. The amendment was seconded and discussed at length; board members and staff reviewed timing constraints for camp contracts and fundraising options. Staff said camps typically require decisions by mid‑July and that the district could accept commitment letters from donors; staff also said the district would close fiscal year accounting in the fall and could use unspent balances if available, but warned that multi‑year solutions would be required to sustain a restored program beyond 2025–26.

The amendment failed on a voice vote; the board then voted to adopt the budget resolution (Resolution No. 1697) as presented. The budget adoption vote for the resolution passed 5‑0.

Public testimony and student speakers highlighted the urgency among families and teachers for full overnight outdoor education. Several students and parents spoke in favor of retaining a multi‑day camp, and multiple speakers urged the board to pursue fundraising, foundation support and other revenue strategies. Board members discussed steps the district is pursuing, including increasing credit‑card rebate use, approaching the district foundation for support, and working with camps to seek lower pricing.

Peranguo and superintendent Vela told the board they will continue to evaluate financial statements (May 31 close expected before the board’s July special meeting) and work with the executive cabinet and community partners to explore whether additional funding can be secured before mid‑July contract deadlines.