Board OKs $26.4M budget for Whitefish schools

Whitefish School Board trustees on Aug. 13 unanimously approved the district’s final budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The budget was approved with no major changes from the preliminary budget presented in July. 

The total budget is $26,401,980, a 5.1% increase of $1,281,814 from the prior fiscal year. 

The budget was awarded an inflationary funding increase of 3% from the state. This increase combined with funding increases due to a higher student enrollment resulted in revenue increases of $172,803 for elementary and $438,570 for the high school. 

The increased budget also includes the $108,337 voter-approved operating levy for Whitefish High School. 

These funding increases support the general fund, which includes instruction related expenditures. 

Notably, the last of Covid emergency funds are set to end next month. 

At the July meeting, the board had an extensive discussion regarding the increased costs of extracurricular activities, growing staffing levels, building maintenance and improved health insurance for staff.  

An additional increased cost reflected in the 2024-25 budget is a 17% increase in cost for property and liability insurance for the district’s buildings. This is due to growing property values in Whitefish.  

At both the July and August school board meetings, the board commended District Clerk Lucie Shea for clear financial illustrations.