Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1959 NO. 78 >

(1)   The county reviewing committee has the authority to refuse to approve or sign a school district budget if some items are too large, but it must prepare a revised budget. (2)   The reviewing committee has the authority to reduce specific items of the budget and to finally fix the total thereof even if revenues are available for those expenditures.(3)   The county reviewing committee cannot act arbitrarily in refusing to approve a school district budget on the ground that the school district did not budget 14 mills.(4)   The reviewing committee is required by statute to finally fix the budget of the district either by signing the budget submitted by the local board of directors or by revising the budget and signing it as revised.(5)   A school district may not operate under an unapproved budget.