Clean audit and steady enrollment
from Listen to the Story Hosted by Bethel School District
In October, the School Board reviewed our annual audit reports and also received an enrollment update that shows we're holding our own in challenging times. The annual audit review had a trifecta of good audit outcomes: no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, no material noncompliance, and an unmodified opinion. Joanne Klein, Director of Accounting and Purchasing, summed it up perfectly when she told the Board, "At the end of the day it was a good clean audit." This clean audit reflects the hard work and attention to detail from our Business Office and demonstrates strong fiscal management across the district. Following the audit report, Chief Financial Officer Christine Donnelly provided the Board with our October 1, 2025 enrollment numbers. As you know, student FTE drives our state apportionment revenue, so these numbers directly impact our funding and budget. While many districts have experienced enrollment declines since COVID (resulting in reduced funding) Bethel has maintained steady enrollment. This stability has been essential as we navigate the same financial pressures affecting districts everywhere. Donnelly noted that while kindergarten enrollment was lower this year, we saw an increase in secondary enrollment. The overall picture shows modest growth. Superintendent Brian Lowney was cautiously optimistic and called it a "preliminarily slight increase." You can learn more about both of these topics by watching the full Board meeting here.
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