The Oak Harbor school board announced a conservative plan for the $875,000 in extra state funds, from this year’s rise in enrollment.

Today, there are 210 students above the board’s predicted budget, and historically, this number declines over the year. They estimate a decrease of about 60 students.

The total October count was about 5,331 full-time students.

Superintendent Rick Schulte said the planning stems from concern over continued budget cuts at the state and federal level.

Last year, the Student Achievement Fund was slashed by 70 percent forcing the school board to draw from the fund balance to avoid layoffs.

Assistant Superintendent Lance Gibbon said about half of the $857,000 will be used to increase the beginning fund balance, which dipped below the budgeted amount.

The board will also try to safeguard against further cuts at the state level, during the 2010 legislative session. They’ll reserve about $200,000.

“There’s a proposal that might eliminate the state levy match, which is about $600,000 a year for Oak Harbor,” Gibbon said.

The rest of the funds will be used to cover one-time expenses and temporary staffing.

About $50,000 was spent on additional textbooks for subjects such as secondary math and StoryTown, a reading program for elementary school children.

Gibbon said the board originally budgeted for 5,125 full-time students, or 210 fewer students. This is the second year in a row Oak Harbor schools have seen an enrollment increase, after a nearly seven year decline.