THE DALLES — In his report during the Sept. 24 North Wasco County School District 21 (NWCSD) board meeting Sept. 24, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Dan Pedersen said that revenue exceeded expenditures for 2025-2026 — up by $20,000 — but the district is still in a deficit position.
Student enrollment for the 2026-2027 year is currently at 2,782, down 61 students from last year. Pederson said he had estimated a projection with 65 fewer students, so the district will be funded. As the drop numbers go up, however, it affects 2027-2028 state funding, since it will be based on 2026 enrollment numbers.
This enrollment dip is a downward trend reflecting the birth rate and current migration policy, said Chair Betsy Hege.
As the school year goes on, there is also the possibility of losing as many as 97 students, mostly elementary age, which Pederson said is a fairly regular projected attrition number.
With not enough budgeted for curriculum, the board took $50,000 out of the general fund to cover the gap, and authorized an additional $15,000 to its contract with Mahlum and HMK. The companies are providing facility assessments and long-range planning services for Chenowith Middle School property, the Columbia View Heights property, and two sports fields that were not included in the original scope of work or proposal.
The board also approved a $.10 increase in adult lunches to bring the price to $5.35, and a $.05 increase to breakfast, bringing that amount to $3.55.
Upcoming board events
The North Wasco County School District 21 (NWCSD) will hold a work session on policy on Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at The Dalles Middle School Library; board members are going to be attending the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) Fall Regional Dinner on Oct. 19 at Columbia Gorge Community College; and Chair Betsy Hege urged board members to register for the OSBA Annual Convention, held Nov. 12-14.
Commented