Superintendent Tony Apostle unveiled
his recommended budget for the 2009-10 school year at the June 8
Puyallup School Board meeting. The recommendation reflects a proposed
$13.8 million of savings to achieve a balanced budget.
Cost-saving
strategies included in the proposal reflect a reduction of 68 teachers
and a number of support staff positions. The budget also reflects a
reduction of support services, modification or elimination of some
existing programs, and reallocation of staff resources throughout the
district.
"Our district's
highest goal is to continue to increase student achievement, and this
recommended budget reflects the prioritization of resources in support
of that goal despite the challenge of budget reductions," Apostle wrote
in his budget message.
The
recommended budget is the culmination of more than six months of study
and deliberation, as well as a series of community and staff budget
forums.
The $13.8 million
of cost-saving strategies is nearly $2 million less than what was
projected in the draft budget released in March. That budget was
prepared before the end of the state's legislative session. Since then
the district has received additional information about state revenue
funding.
Apostle's
recommended budget was presented June 8 at the first of two public
hearings. A second public hearing will be held on August 10 at the
Puyallup School Board meeting, with board action scheduled to follow.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Ballou Junior High School, 9916 136th
St. E., Puyallup.
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