The Puyallup School Board approved two
resolutions on March 23 that outline budget savings proposals as the
district braces for a projected $11-$14 million shortfall in the 2009-10
school year.
In one action, the board
unanimously approved a resolution that includes a detailed listing of
reductions that would be necessary in a worst-case budget scenario. The
proposal authorizes a Reduction in Force that reduces staff positions,
eliminates or modifies some existing programs, reallocates staff
resources, and reduces support services to achieve a balanced budget.
The district won’t know
specifically what it will need to reduce until it has a more firm idea
of how much state revenue it will receive next year. That final number
won’t be available until after the state Legislature ends it session
later this spring.
Increased state expenses coupled
with decreased revenue have created a grim budget outlook for all of
Washington’s school districts, which rely heavily on state funding.
Nearly three-quarters of the Puyallup School District budget is funded
by the state.
Even though budget uncertainties remain, the board approved the resolution (pdf,
64kb) of proposed cost savings this month so that employees affected by
the elimination or reduction in positions can be identified and the
district can meet state legal requirements for providing advance notice
to those employees.
The board also voted to authorize
staff to initiate a study to address the potential closure of Hilltop
Elementary School and to report the results of that analysis at the next
board meeting on April 13.
In a letter
mailed last week to Hilltop Elementary parents, Superintendent Tony
Apostle writes that the district has spent many years studying 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 a positive working
climate for staff,” Apostle writes. “Small schools make it very
difficult for the district to best serve our students, your children,
and the cost of operating small schools continues to increase.”
Closure of Hilltop Elementary would produce an annual savings of approximately $350,000.
Puyallup School Board President Greg
Heath said during the March 23 meeting that the proposed budget savings
are “a blueprint” as the district moves forward with the budget planning
process for the 2009-10 school year. “If anybody came here thinking the
deal was done, it is not done …we do not have final numbers, nor does
anyone at this point.”
Heath encouraged the public to attend one of four community budget forums
scheduled in April to review the draft spending plan. Comments made
during the meetings will be considered as Superintendent Tony Apostle
prepares his recommended budget. Apostle is expected to present his
recommended budget to the school board and public by early June.
The first public hearing on the
recommended budget is scheduled for June 8. A second public hearing and
final adoption is scheduled for August 10.
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