June 5,
2008
Dear
Colleagues:
The purpose of this communication is
to share a brief budget update for 2008-2009, and present an overview of some
work happening next year as we prepare for the 2009-2010 school year. I
have included a contact person for each item in the event you have additional
questions or would like to be part of the process.
This is a busy time of the year and
you do not need to do anything with these items. I just want you to be
aware that when you hear about the work you will have some contextual
awareness.
2008-2009 Budget
Planning Update:
This week, we completed the last of
our three community budget meetings as we prepare the 2008-2009 general fund
budget plan. The overall state funding challenge as it affects districts
was reviewed as well as the specific impacts to our district. The details
of the approximately $3 million that we have to reduce for next year were also
shared. People had good questions and comments; were concerned about
inadequate state funding; were respectful of the need to make budget adjustments
in order to operate; and, acknowledged the anguish we all feel for having to
make reductions to programs, services, and staff that we value. There were a few
suggestions to reduce expenditures or increase revenues; however these would not
produce any significant differences. So, as the list exists now (and it’s
also on the web) this will be the one included in the formal budget process
leading to Board’s approval later this summer. (Contact: Marla
Miller)
Planning
Ahead:
Amidst all the discussions we have
had in recent years about the need to plan ahead for additional operational cost
reductions to deal with anticipated state funding shortfalls, there are other
areas the Board at its June 3rd meeting approved for study and
development. The Board will be asking the CPC (Citizen’s Planning
Committee) to study in the fall of 2008 and develop plans for possible
implementation for the 2009-2010 school year the items listed below. While
these are seriously being considered, the direction is to study and develop
plans for the following - it remains the Board’s authority later next year to
make any final determinations.
Some of these are being considered
because they will enhance our educational practices; others are being considered
because they will have the effect of reducing the use of general fund dollars in
a significant way.
Areas for
2008-2009 Citizen’s Planning Committee (CPC) study and
development:
Education:
Explore student progress reporting
in light of parent needs for information and the work/time expectations for
teachers. (Contact: Debby Carter or Tony Byrd)
Study calendar alternatives and
develop a model that restores instructional days and has more frequent meeting
time for staff. (Contact: Debby Carter or Tony
Byrd)
Boundaries and
Enrollment:
Study and develop a detailed plan
for consolidation of Woodway Elementary for 2009-2010 and present to the Board
for final approval by Dec. 9, 2008. (Contact: Ellen
Kahan)
Study and develop a detailed plan
for consolidation of
Study and develop a detailed plan
for consolidation of Evergreen Elementary for 2009-2010 and present to the Board
for final approval by Dec. 9, 2008. (Contact: Sue
Venable)
Transportation:
Study school transportation for
Study and reduce where safe and
feasible bussing services within one mile walking distance from schools as a way
to reduce general fund costs for these unfunded routes. (Contact: Ken
Limon)
Continue the study of the start/end
times for schools due to the challenges expressed by those schools on the late
start/end time schedule. (Contact: Ken Limon)
Thank you for your awareness of
these areas of study. If you are interested in any of the above, please
feel free to contact the person noted by each and expressing your interest to
either participate and/or be kept updated in the process next fall.
All of us may wish that we did not
have to consider such in our quest to reduce general fund expenditures and
realize more adequate state funding; however, we still have to deal as best we
can with the fiscal realities in which we operate, and those we anticipate in
the state in the next few years. Thus, doing this difficult yet important
work is our own challenge and we will do our best to address these and keep
moving forward.
Note: We are still a part of in the
coalition (N.E.W.S.) that is taking legal action against the state for not
adequately funding public schools. That issue goes to court in March of
2009; even a successful ruling by the court would necessitate the Legislature
developing a method of increasing school funding. That will be difficult
to count on in this and the likely economy in the next two to three
years.
Sincerely,
Nick