Budget Information

F-195 Budget Document

The F-195 is the official school district budget document required by the state and is filed with the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Annually, the F-195 must be approved by a school district's Board of Directors by August 31.

GFOA Budget Document

In a desire to be more transparent and to present the district's budget in a clear way, the District has adopted the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) budget model, which is specific to school district budget planning. It is easier to understand than the F-195 and is consistent with the District's Strategic Plan, Building Block 4.

The GFOA represents the local government finance profession in the United States and Canada (over 20,000 members). Their programs recognize excellence in different forms of financial stewardship. The District has utilized the GFOA's Best Practices in school district budgeting, and consequently, has been recognized for our budget work with the Excellence in Budget Presentation Award.

Continuing Our Work

The District will continue our efforts to provide clarity regarding the use of our public resources. These important resources support an education for our approximately 24,000 students.

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year for school districts runs September 1 through August 31. The budget establishes maximum expenditure amounts for each fund and provides a means of measuring and guiding performance. Northshore's budget is submitted to the school board at the first meeting in August. After board approval, it is submitted to the Educational Service District (ESD). Once approved at the ESD, the budget is forwarded to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for final approval.

Five Separate Funds

The Northshore School District budget is comprised of five separate funds - the General, Associated Student Body, Debt Service, Capital Projects and Transportation Vehicle Funds.

General Fund

The general fund is used to account for all financial resources except those required to be accounted for in another fund. Revenues for the general fund are primarily from state funds, special maintenance and operations levy funds, federal funds and fees. These revenues are used for financing the current day to day operations of the school district such as our instructional programs for students, food services, maintenance and pupil transportation. Expenditures include salary and benefits costs and non-labor costs such as supplies and instructional materials, utilities, fuel, insurance and printing costs.

Associated Student Body Fund

This fund accounts for the student extracurricular activities in each school. The revenues are generated, in part, by fees from students and nonstudents attending any optional noncredit extracurricular event of the district. Although the ASB fund is under the control of the Board of Directors, each school's student body prepares and submits a revenue and expenditure plan for Board approval.

Capital Projects Fund

Provides for acquisition of lands or buildings, major modernization of buildings and other property such as fields, and acquisition of equipment, including technology systems. Capital funds may also be used for energy audits and related upgrades. The Capital Projects Fund is generally financed from the proceeds from the sale of bonds, state matching revenues, lease or sale of surplus real property, interest earnings and special levies.