With anticipated expenditures exceeding projected revenues by about $1.5 million, the Snoqualmie Valley School District is looking at how to trim its budget for next school year.

“We’re still working on it, but right now it’s hard to tell how much better we can make it,” Ron Ellis, business manager for the district, told the school board at its May 22 meeting.

Most of the difficulties come from costs associated with opening the new Twin Falls Middle School, he said.

Other factors contributing to the gap are underfunded state and federal government mandates, particularly for employee benefits, as well rising prices for utilities, fuel and food.

District Superintendent Joel Aune said districts across the state are facing similar challenges, and he vowed that any budget cuts would not compromise student learning or safety.

“We’ll keep cuts as far away from kids as possible,” Aune said.