March 23, 2009
Dear Community Members,
As we are all well aware, our nation and our state face an
unprecedented economic situation, resulting in budget challenges that
affect local families, businesses, and the Puyallup School District.
Based on information in the governor’s proposed 2009-11 budget,
combined with enrollment projections for next year, our district is
preparing a plan to reduce current staffing and program costs by $11 to
$15 million. While we will not know the final impact of state budget
cutbacks until after the state Legislature finishes its work later this
spring, we do know that significant reductions in current district
programs and the number of staff will be necessary.
Our district has known for months of the state’s worsening revenue
forecast and began last year studying its options to reduce spending.
Last fall, several study groups were formed to review programs and
services and develop potential cost-saving strategies. Our school board
members heard recommendations from those study groups during a study
session earlier this month.
At tonight’s meeting, our district Board of Directors approved a
resolution authorizing a Reduction in Force (RIF) that reduces staff
positions, eliminates and/or modifies some existing programs,
reallocates staff resources, and reduces support services for the
2009-2010 school year. This board action is necessary at the present
time, even though many budget uncertainties remain, to identify under
RIF procedures the employees affected by the elimination or reduction in
positions and to meet state legal requirements for providing advance
notice to those employees.
The board also voted to authorize staff to begin the development of a
written analysis for the potential closure of Hilltop Elementary as
required under Board Policy 6883. For many years, we have studied the
effectiveness of small schools. The enrollment at Hilltop Elementary
School is approximately 200 students, and it is not expected to grow in
the foreseeable future. In addition, this significantly low student
enrollment makes it challenging to provide a viable and equitable
student learning environment, as well as one that promotes professional
development opportunities for staff. Small schools make it very
difficult for the district to best serve our students, and the cost of
operating small schools continues to increase. It is anticipated that
the closure of Hilltop will result in an annual savings of $350,000 to
be reallocated to other district programs and student services.
The analysis to be prepared by staff will be presented to the Board
of Directors on April 13. If the Board moves forward with this process
to close Hilltop Elementary, there will be a minimum of one public
hearing as required by state statute for public testimony. The date and
time of this public hearing will be announced on the district Web site,
in other written district communications, and in local print media for
two consecutive weeks, with the last print media notice published not
later than seven days before the public hearing.
I realize that every cost-cutting measure represents reductions in
school or district programs, staffing, and services and reductions in a
person’s job. These are not easy decisions. These are extremely
difficult decisions made in public — reported fully or partially by
interested media — that must be made to keep our budget in balance today
and to put us in a strong financial position for the long term.
A listing of proposed budget reductions will be posted on the
district’s Web site at www.puyallup.k12.wa.us on Monday, April 13, 2009.
I encourage stakeholders to review this document and provide comment at
one of four community budget forums:
- April 13, 10 a.m. to noon; Education Service Center, 302 Second Street S.E.
- April 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Pope Elementary, 15102 122 nd Avenue E.
- April 20, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Ferrucci Junior High, 3213 Wildwood Park Drive
- April 23, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Woodland Elementary, 7707 112 th Street E.
I urge all of you to do all that you can to help continue to build on
the strengths of our district and move our children forward in a
determined quest for excellence.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tony Apostle
Superintendent