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Financial Health & Oversight

Financial Health and Oversight

School financing is a complex issue because various programs are funded from different sources of money and each of these sources may include its own system of reporting, accounting and audits. Public schools and their funding must operate within the constraints of:

  • Laws passed by the U.S. Congress
  • U.S. Department of Education regulations implementing federal law
  • Laws and budgets passed by the Washington State Legislature (RCW)
  • OSPI and State Board of Education regulations implementing state and federal law (WAC)
  • Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB)

According to the Office of the Washingston State Auditor’s Financial Itelligence Tool (FIT) which can be found at THIS LINK, among the 295 districts in Washington state, the Chehalis School District ranks:

  • 89th in Average Enrollment
  • 91st in Average Revenues
  • 89th in Average Expenditures

 

Budget Transparency & Oversight

Transparency and oversight are essential to ensuring that school district funds are managed responsibly, ethically and in the best interests of students. Clear budget information, public reporting and meaningful community engagement help build trust and demonstrate how resources support educational priorities. Strong oversight also promotes accountability, reduces the risk of misuse and helps the district make informed, equitable and sustainable financial decisions. 

Below, you can read about some of the ways transparency and oversight are part of our budgeting process.

Our Chief Financial Officer presents a budget update at each month’s Chehalis School Board meetings. These updates include actual budget figures, projections from our finance department and also the chance for our board members to ask questions about the budget. 

The School Finance Advisory Committee was started in the 2025-2026 school year to create opportunities for members of our community to understand our budget process and have a greater voice in future district financial choices. 

The Chehalis School District is required to undergo annual audits by the Office of the Washington State Auditor. Each year’s aduit focuses on a different aspect of financial systems, management and record keeping. The purpose of these audits is to ensure we are following our policies, procedures and the law when it comes to financial actions and decisions.

CLICK HERE to read reports from past audits.

Our annual budget must be passed by the School Board at their July meeting every year. Prior to this meeting, we hold a budget hearing where members of the public may ask questions and make comments on the budget. The draft budget and notice of budget hearing are announced on our website prior to this meeting.

Important financial documents such as our current adopted budget, as well as 

  • Our Chief Financial Officer presents a budget update at each month’s Chehalis School Board meetings. These updates include actual budget figures, projections from our finance department and also the chance for our board members to ask questions about the budget. 

  • The School Finance Advisory Committee was started in the 2025-2026 school year to create opportunities for members of our community to understand our budget process and have a greater voice in future district financial choices. 

  • The Chehalis School District is required to undergo annual audits by the Office of the Washington State Auditor. Each year’s aduit focuses on a different aspect of financial systems, management and record keeping. The purpose of these audits is to ensure we are following our policies, procedures and the law when it comes to financial actions and decisions.

    CLICK HERE to read reports from past audits.

  • Our annual budget must be passed by the School Board at their July meeting every year. Prior to this meeting, we hold a budget hearing where members of the public may ask questions and make comments on the budget. The draft budget and notice of budget hearing are announced on our website prior to this meeting.

  • Important financial documents such as our current adopted budget, as well as 

School Finance Advisory Committee

The School Finance Advisory Committee was first established during the 2025-2026 school year to provide input to decision-making for the District’s annual budget. The committee convenes monthly 

  • Identifying priorities that will inform the district’s decision-making regarding balanced budgeting and fiscal sustainability while supporting the district’s priorities.
  • Becoming an informed and accountable advisory committee for our community.
  • Supporting sound decision making practices grounded in the Strategic Plan

Financial Health and Oversight Q&A

Providing accurate, transparent and helpful information to our community is important to us. If you have a question you don’t see answered here, please drop us a line using THIS LINK and we will get you the information you want.