Centralia High School is expecting a deficit of between $200,000 and $300,000 for the coming fiscal year. At the regular school board meeting on Thursday, superintendent Chuck Lane said that while the deficit in the current tentative budget is only $7,000, the deficit is likely to be higher due to a decrease in funding following the closure of Centralia’s One Hope United. Lane said that the school, with over 5 million dollars in reserve, can afford the deficit this year. The September board meeting was rescheduled for Monday, September 28 to allow the budget to be displayed for 30 days.
Total enrollment at the start of the school year is 846, which is slightly down from the start of last year. First quarter mid-terms are September 11. The Homecoming parade this year is October 2 and the Homecoming Dance is October 3.
Lane reported that a portion of the newly resurfaced track will need to be redone this year due to a material mismatch with the rust of the track. The affected section of the track is uneven with the rest of the track. The plan is to have the replacement done during the weekend of September 11. This weekend, the school district will have a new fire pump installed for the sprinkler system.
The board accepted the resignations of Mallory Kauling as head softball coach and Abbey Moore as assistant girls’ basketball coach for the 2026-27 school year.
The board hired Richard Wethington as part-time bus driver, Mona Prosise as part-time cafeteria worker, and Misty Meyer as part-time cafeteria worker.
