Dear Colleagues :   

The purpose of this e-mail is to provide a preliminary list of ideas that have been developed as possible ways to reduce general fund operational costs for next year.  We are all sensitive to, and mindful of, the difficulty of seeing positions or concepts that are highly valued be on a list for possible reductions.  Clearly, there are important people, programs, and services potentially impacted in all respects.  Still, given the fiscal realities of our world, state economy, and likely state funding for next year, we have to prepare. 

As you know, the State of Washington faces significant revenue shortfalls and will have to reduce funding to public schools. The exact degree of the actual state budget cuts and potential impacts will be known later this spring; this forces all districts to be planning now to have enough ideas ready to match the fiscal challenge which is coming. The federal stimulus will help in part, but it is not going to make up for the entire state funding problem. It is very difficult to know exactly what or how much districts will have to reduce until the state and federal revenues are clearly identified; this won't be until the end of April or possibly later.

In recent years, we like most districts have had to make reductions to address ongoing and often increased operational costs.  This has been happening in an environment of inadequate state school funding.  Thus, the attached list is one that comes after making reductions, and seeks to continue to look across the system.  It comes after the anticipated cost savings of closing our two smallest elementary schools for next year.  It includes ideas and concepts that surfaced in the past, or simply were suggested by anyone for consideration. The list is a work in progress.  We are still exploring more operational and administrative reductions where possible.    If you have ideas that should be considered, please e-mail those to Marla Miller at MillerM@edmonds.wednet.edu.

The list attached has only recently been prioritized by the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC); still, this is not to be viewed as the final order when reductions need to be made.  In addition to planned study sessions with the Board, there will be more work by our BAC, P-12, as well as 4 open public budget input and prioritization sessions for the community in May. The dates and locations of the May meetings are posted on our web page, you are always welcome to attend these meetings.  These are all very important parts of the process to influence the final reductions that will be recommended to our Board for next year.  The final authority for the 2009-2010 school year budget rests with the Board of Directors and will happen officially at their August meeting.  From my place in the organization, what finally gets recommended to our Board will: 1) be a list that just meets our necessary reduction target, 2) keeps our focus on student learning by supporting people, programs, and services to the best of our ability, and 3) keeps us within legal and safety operating parameters. 

The fiscal challenge being faced by many people in our community is real; you know this as it may have already touched your family or those you know.  It clearly has impacted many that I know as well as we see it impacting our students, staff, and families.  We greatly appreciate the compassion and support so many are showing to those less fortunate.   We will have to address our share of this locally as will all districts.  It will be challenging to consider the ideas on the list of possible reductions; still, like everyone we simply have to do the best we can to address this situation.  Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this information.

Sincerely ,

Nick