Board prepares to adopt final budget

Since last September, numbers have been crunched, rehashed, thrown into equations, pulled apart, put back together, compared to previous years, projected out and put into perspective.

“It’s been a long process,” said Gary Platt, executive director of business services for the Stanwood-Camano School District, in his update to the school board last Tuesday.

Facing the reality of increased costs and a loss of funding, the district “has done our best to implement recommendations that have been made” from public input through a survey, a key communicator group and budget task force, said Platt.

Recognizing that cuts have direct effects on the educational program, not everyone has been pleased with the decisions along the way.

After principals at Port Susan and Stanwood middle schools developed schedules using staffing allocations determined by the district, the librarians were shifted into classroom positions. At the elementary level, Twin City and Stanwood will see a reduction of staffing for certificated librarian positions as well.

The news rippled through the grades and teachers, parents and students expressed concerns to the board last month.

Superintendent Jean Shumate, Ed.D., has said that “tough decisions” were required to balance the budget due to declining enrollment, which has dropped by approximately 270 full-time equivalent students from three years ago, and a lack of state and federal funding.

Those decisions include reductions to staff, supplies and programs across the board.

Nearly $5.3 million and 50 full-time staff positions have been cut over a two year period.

Earlier in June, directors unanimously approved a pay-to-participate fee for athletics. As one of the last school districts in the region to make the shift, directors chose to try the system rather than cut programs at various levels.

With a projected fund balance of around $4.5 million at the end of August, the district expects to use slightly more than $700,000 to help offset budget restrictions for the upcoming school year.

“A lot of things influence the fund balance,” said Platt. “The goal is to take care of the needs that we have, meet payroll and take advantage of any savings.”

Average monthly payroll for the district is approximately $3.3 million. Platt estimates that payroll will account for 80 percent of next school year’s budget.

“Frankly, we don’t have any cushion,” said Platt.

Platt explained that a portion of the district’s funds go to subsidizing certain programs that have larger expenditures than revenues brought in by federal, state and local dollars.

Special education is underfunded by more than $1.8 million, the learn assist program by nearly $105,000, the transportation department by close to $1 million and the lunch program by an estimated $153,000.

These programs are subsidized by levy dollars, said Platt.

Budget documents are available for review at the district office, 26920 Pioneer Highway.

On Aug. 17, 7 p.m., a public hearing will be held at the school district board room. Citizens can address the board of directors during the meeting prior to its final adoption.

In other school board news:

• Chase, WaMoola for Schools program donated $445.40 to Elger Bay Elementary, $117.68 to Port Susan Middle School and $71 to Lincoln Hill High School.

Rain Shadow Properties and Investments, LLC donated $239.28 to support art programs at Utsalady Elementary.

Cedarhome Elementary PTA donated $134 to the WatchD.O.G.S. father-involvement program at the school.

Skagit River Steel and Recycling donated 883 pounds, valued at $571.53, to the Stanwood High School Agriculture Mechanics program.

Staff Reporter Adam Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115 or astewart@scnews.com.