Newport City Elementary proposes $9.29 million budget, no new positions; maintenance projects funded from surplus

Newport City Elementary Principal Aaron Larson presented the school’s proposed $9,293,096 budget to the Newport City Council on Feb. 2, saying the package holds staffing steady while covering rising costs. "This year we're proposing a total budget of $9,293,096," Larson told the council, calling the increase roughly $490,096, or about 5.57 percent over last year. He said educational spending would rise about 5.47 percent.

Larson said the school is not seeking any new positions and is using surplus funds to limit what taxpayers will be asked to contribute. "Due to an existing building and maintenance fund...we are not going to have to ask the taxpayers for any additional money to fund these two large projects," he said, referring to a new fire alarm system and an elevator upgrade. The presentation also notes a ballot item asking voters to approve moving $250,000 from surplus into the maintenance fund to pay for the work.

Why it matters: the school serves roughly 275 students in pre-K through sixth grade and is balancing inflationary pressures — including a 7 percent increase in health insurance and negotiated wage increases — against efforts to preserve programming. Larson said the budget maintains services and the school will not add staff this year.

Next steps and public input: Larson invited residents to a budget information meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 5 p.m. in the Newport City Elementary School Library, where the school board will review details and answer questions. That meeting is the primary opportunity for voters and taxpayers to review line-item detail and ask follow-up questions prior to final municipal budget decisions.

No formal action on the school budget was requested of the council at the Feb. 2 meeting; Larson’s presentation was informational and scheduled follow-up public meetings will provide a forum for more detailed review.