South Whidbey school officials had their final review of the 2008-2009 budget before unanimously approving it Wednesday night.

District business manager Dan Poolman reported that next year’s revenue is estimated at $17.6 million, and $373,015 less than the year before.

“The revenue drop is directly tied to the decrease in numbers of students in our schools,” Poolman said. “We are planning accordingly, but the reality is that there is less money coming in.”

From September 2008 to June 2009, officials project a total of 1,729 full-time students, or 78 less children in local classrooms. The state provides $5,100 per student for a drop in revenue of $397,800 in just one year for South Whidbey.

State funding provides 71.2 percent of school funding. Local tax dollars provide 22.8 percent while the federal government adds 5.7 percent.