Monte’s published budget, annual financial statements, and audit reports — pulled live from OSPI so what you see here is always what the state has on file.
The Business Office handles the money side of running Monte — budgeting, payroll, accounts payable, audits, vendor payments, levy and bond preparation, and the annual filings every Washington school district owes the state.
How school funding works
Most of Monte’s funding comes from the state through OSPI’s per-pupil apportionment formula. Local property taxes (the M&O levy and any bond debt service) cover the gap between what the state funds and what the district actually spends to keep schools running well. Federal programs — Title I, special education, school nutrition — fund specific services. The exact split each year is in that year’s F-196 Annual Financial Statement.
The annual budget cycle
Winter / spring — Business Manager builds the preliminary budget based on enrollment projections and state apportionment forecasts
Summer — Board public hearings; superintendent recommends the final budget
Mid-August — Board adopts the F-195 budget
September 1 — F-195 filed with OSPI
Fall (following school year) — F-196 Annual Financial Statement filed; Auditor issues two audit reports
Public comment is welcome at every regular board meeting (4th Thursday of the month, 3rd Thursday in November and December).
District documents
Select a school year and report type. Documents below update automatically — they come live from OSPI’s public records, the same source state administrators see.
Three views of Monte’s 2024-25General Fund, pulled live from OSPI’s published financial data. Numbers update automatically each year as OSPI publishes new files — no maintenance from us.
Where the money comes from
2024-25 · Total revenue
State funding$20.4M · 79.1%
Local levy & taxes$3.9M · 15.0%
Federal programs$1.5M · 5.9%
Common questions
The questions parents and community members ask most. Have one that’s not here? Email Sheila (sidebar) and we’ll add it.
Q.Where does Monte's funding come from?
Most of it from the state — Washington funds “basic education” on a per-pupil formula through OSPI’s apportionment system. A smaller share comes from local property taxes (the M&O levy and any bond debt service), and the rest from federal programs (Title I, special education, school nutrition) and miscellaneous local revenue. The exact split for any given year is in that year’s F-196 Annual Financial Statement, available in the document browser above.
Q.What's the difference between a levy and a bond?
A levy is a short-term property tax (typically four years) that funds operations — staff, programs, supplies, the things that keep school running day-to-day beyond what the state covers. A bond is a long-term tax (often 20 years) that funds capital projects — new buildings, major renovations, district-wide infrastructure. Both require voter approval. Levies need a simple majority; bonds need a 60% supermajority plus minimum voter turnout.
Q.Is my levy renewal a tax increase?
No. A renewal levy continues an existing tax that voters previously approved — it isn’t adding a new tax. The rate may rise or fall slightly based on assessed property values and district enrollment, but the line item on your tax bill is the continuation of one you’re already paying. New levies (not renewals) and bonds are new taxes; ballot language always makes that distinction explicit.
Q.What's the difference between the F-195 and F-196 documents above?
The F-195 is the budget — forward-looking, adopted by the school board before the school year starts, filed with OSPI by September 1. It says what the district plans to spend. The is the — backward-looking, filed after the school year closes, audited by the Washington State Auditor. It says what the district actually spent and how the year ended. One is a plan; one is the report.
Yes — every year by the Washington State Auditor’s Office↗ (opens in a new tab). Two audit reports are issued each year: a financial and federal compliance audit (review of financial statements and federal program spending), and an accountability audit (review of district practices and policies). Both reports are public and available through the State Auditor’s website; we also link to them in the document browser above as soon as they’re published.
Q.How is Monte's annual budget developed?
Roughly: the Business Manager builds a preliminary budget through winter and spring based on enrollment projections, state apportionment figures, and local levy revenue. The school board holds public hearings in summer, then adopts a final budget by mid-August. The adopted budget (F-195) is filed with OSPI by September 1. Public comment is welcome at any point — see the school board page for meeting dates.
Q.I want to do business with Monte — how does procurement work?
For projects under the state small-works threshold, contractors apply to the Small Works Roster (managed through the Facilities & Grounds department). For larger projects, Monte issues public bid solicitations per RCW 28A.335.190 — those are posted publicly with deadlines. To submit an invoice for an approved purchase, contact Shannon Meservey (Payroll · Benefits · A/P) at the District Office.
Q.How do I attend a meeting where the budget is discussed?
Every regular school board meeting includes a financial report on the agenda. Check the board calendar for upcoming meeting dates and locations, and how to speak at a board meeting for the public-comment process.