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The Grand Coulee Dam School District board adopted a $11,017,937 general fund budget for the 2016-17 school year at its Monday night meeting.

The budget is about $500,000 higher than the previous budget and was described by Superintendent Paul Turner as austere.

“We will have to tighten our belt this year,” Turner said.

Turner noted that school districts are subject to decisions made by the Legislature and it isn’t always predictable what decisions might be made that affect school financing.

In other funds, besides the general fund, the board also approved the Associated Student Body fund at $155,230; Capital projects fund, $180,000; and transportation fund at $272,388.

The budget is based on an average of 690 students, an increase on the projection of 660 last year. The average for the past school year was 675.

The district, in computing information as it shapes its budget, always does so conservatively.

In other action, the school board agreed to hold a retreat on Aug. 8. The location is being worked on now, and the session would be from 5-8 p.m.

Turner told the board that the time would be spent working on some goals and for a board training session.