Bill Medicaid Fee-for-Service: Investigate the New System as of 9/25!
The WLWV school district could potentially realize up to $2.5 million a year in additional funds if they billed Medicaid as many other districts do - in this time of difficult budget decisions, is this something we can consider doing? There are two sources school districts can bill Medicaid for. The WLWV School District currently bills for one - Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC) funding - but to our knowledge does not bill for most students for the other - Medicaid Fee-for-Service, which reimburses districts for the health services provided to certain students. Learn more HERE
Alternate Solutions for Current Budget Issues ?
Hire a Budget Analyst
Solution: The school board could hire a Budget Analyst skilled in public school funding to do a thorough, independent analysis of areas that could be reduced in the WLWV school district budget as well as areas we are not capturing all funding that is available. The analysis could look for:
Possible areas to cut that have less impact on students and teachers
Areas in the budget that have significantly increased in the last year or years.
Areas where WLWV school district is not on par with surrounding districts in gaining revenue or in spending.
Analyze Increased Costs in the
WLWV School District Budget
High school extracurricular salaries have increased over $730,000 since 2024/25 (a 44% increase with no change in FTE)
Athletics and Activities transportation budget has increased over $430,000 since last year.
Travel Stipends, Expenses, and Out-Of-District travel are costing over $330,000 this year.
Director of Student Support Services (Classified Salaries and Administrators) salaries have increased over $45,000 from 2024/25 (a 6% increase with no change in FTE)
The Executive Administration classified and administrator salaries have increased over $14,000 from 2024/25 (no change in FTE)
Computer Software has increased over $800,000 from 2022
Oregon Funding That Helps WLWV Preschool Programs Thrive
Oregon invests heavily in early learning through Preschool Promise and ERDC, which help families cover most or all preschool and childcare costs. Preschool Promise reimburses providers up to $23,000 per student per year, for full-day, creating a major opportunity for stable preschool funding.
By working directly with the Early Learning Hub, WLWV can match qualifying families with district preschools, strengthen enrollment, and generate reliable revenue that supports full-day care and high-quality staffing.
For families, this means affordable access to trusted WLWV preschool programs.
For the district, it means a sustainable model that grows with community needs.
And for schools, it means learning disparities based on income can be miminized before kids start in kindergarten.
High-quality preschool becomes both accessible—and financially strong.
Adopt an Ending Fund Balance Range of 5%-10%
The district administration consistently projects low ending fund balance numbers, makes cuts, and then finds money at the end of the year and our ending fund balance balloons past other surrounding districts. We are unnecessarily making cuts and need to have tighter budgeting practices. This could be done by implementing a clear reserve policy.
The district has recently stated they need to maintain 15% of their general fund in reserves at the end of each year. We believe this is too high. Most comparable Oregon districts operate between 5-12%.
Surrounding districts and their policies:
Lake Oswego: “at least eight percent and generally no more than fifteen percent” 1
Portland Public Schools: “ranging from 5% to 10% of annual General Fund resources” 2
Beaverton: “ensure general fund ending balance of at least 5%…The Board also directs the superintendent to maintain a financial reserve of five percent of the total resources of the general fund.” 3
Tigard-Tualatin “reserves are fully funded at 12%” 4
Gresham-Barlow “must be at least 5% of expenditures” 5
North Clackamas “no less than 5%” 6
1:https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1738020058/losdschoolsorg/qxremtle8sxwgayloqij/LOSD_Audit_Report_June302024.pdf? Pg. 28
3: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/about-us/policies-and-regulations/section-d-fiscal-management/dbdb-financial-reserves?
4:https://www.ttsdschools.org/about-us/strategic-plans/strategic-financial-plan?
5:https://www.tsccmultco.com/wp-content/uploads/GBSD-A-FY25-Budget-Review.pdf?
6:https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1704730890/nclackk12orus/cjrgvwyjjvlafhhbrrjw/NorthClackamasSchoolDistrictAnnualComprehensiveFinancialReport2022-2023.pdf?