Northwest Regional Education Service District
Home MenuUnderstanding Our Budget
Collective bargaining is one of the ways we can invest in the people who make our mission possible. Compensation represents the largest share of our budget so bargaining decisions are closely tied to our financial planning and long-term sustainability. This page provides a high-level overview of how our budget works and why it is an important part of the bargaining process.
Striking the Right Balance
Ensuring children and families continue to receive the specialized services and support they rely on.
Investing in the educators, specialists and support professionals who make those services possible.
Making responsible financial decisions that allow us to continue serving students, school districts and their communities for years to come.
Why Does the Budget Matter During Bargaining?
Most of our programs are people-powered. In many programs, more than 85% of expenditures support salaries and benefits, with the remaining funds supporting the materials, technology, facilities and other resources needed to operate programs. Because personnel costs represent such a significant share of the budget, compensation decisions must be considered alongside the financial resources available to support programs both today and into the future.
Every bargaining proposal is carefully reviewed to understand its operational, financial and long-term impacts. Some proposals can affect multiple programs, funding sources or contract provisions, requiring additional analysis before decisions are made. The goal is to reach agreements that support employees while ensuring we can continue providing high-quality services to students and families well into the future.
How Our Budget Works
Every public education organization manages its finances differently. Our budget is built from a combination of funding sources, each with its own purpose and requirements.
State funding, grants, contracts with school districts and other dedicated funding sources each play an important role in supporting our programs. Many funding sources can only be used for particular programs or services because of grant requirements, contracts or state and federal laws.
We have to plan for a variety of factors that may affect both revenue and costs, including:
- Changes in services purchased by school districts
- Enrollment changes in student-funded programs
- Rising health insurance costs
- Legislative or policy changes
- Broader economic conditions