The Grand Coulee Dam School District will have to figure out how to not go broke in four years.

That was one of the darker notes presented at the district board meeting Monday night, where Business Manager Sally Ryan presented the proposed 2018-19 budget, as well as a projected budget for the next four years, which shows the district running out of money by the 2021-22 school year.

The 2018-19 school year budget is $12,003,678, up from $11,250,133 last year. With a projected enrollment of 733.5 full time equivalent students (FTEs) in kindergarten through 12th grade, that makes for an average of $16,376 per student.

A total of $5.4 million for regular instruction takes up 46 percent of the budget, with support services accounting for nearly a quarter of the budget at $2.9 million and special education instruction at $1.3 million.

A new state law requires districts to budget for the next four years. Ryan’s budget forecast a deficit of $35,057 in the 2021-22 school year, when the student count is projected to dip to 721.5 FTEs.

“What will we do?” asked staff member Kim Stanger.

“That’s a good question,” Director Rich Black said in response.

“We’ll figure something out,” Director George LaPlace said.

The school board passed the budget with a unanimous vote.

About 15 people, including some staff and students, were present in the high school library for the meeting. Several wore red T-shirts.

Red T-shirts have been worn by those in solidarity with teachers across the nation this year during budget battles with legislatures and school boards.

Negotiations with the local teachers’ union are coming up.