Colfax school could lose $462,000

Garth Meyer, Whitman County Gazette | Nov 05, 20200

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Jerry Pugh

COLFAX –– Colfax School District lost about 8% of its students because of COVID and it's going to cost the district funding, possibly $462,000.

The Colfax school board discussed how many students dropped out at its regular meeting on Oct. 26. In September and October the district lost 42 of the 502 students, said Superintendent Jerry Pugh.

The district is preparing for a budget shortfall since state funding is based on the number of students. Washington school districts receive between $11,000-$12,000 from the state for each full-time student per year, he added.

Students are being withdrawn for home-schooling due to concerns about COVID.

"Home-schooling is where we're short budget-wise," said Pugh. "We hope with time they will feel that the safety is there. I'm confident that we'll see them again."

Many districts are in a similar position. Pugh suggested the state legislature may address the shortfall in their next session, but until then, Colfax watches its spending.

"If any purchases are to be made in the district, they are very well-reviewed and double-reviewed," said Pugh. "Dipping into reserves is a good possibility. We're already tightening our belt."

The number of lost students can keep changing. Transfer students added 24 kids to the district this year compared to 20 last year. For ones leaving, 70 students this year compared to 83 students leaving last year. Many are the same students in both years.