District Begins Budget Planning Process
The Washougal Board of Directors reviewed budget planning information at the Board meeting on April 13, 2010. For a copy of the briefing provided to the Board, click here.
After the extensive cuts that were made in this year’s budget, it is difficult to find further reductions. Items on the draft of potential budget reductions will all impact services to students, and it now becomes a matter of “how much” or to what degree do these reductions impact students less or more than other reductions that might be considered. These will be difficult decisions. It is important to note that no decisions regarding budget reductions have been made.
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Calendar of Meetings for Public Input on 2010-11 Budget
All meetings on this calendar will be held in the Board Room at the District Office, unless otherwise noted.
The District office is located at 4855 Evergreen Way, Washougal, WA 98671.
April 19 4:30 p.m. Staff Forum for input on budget and potential budget reductions list at Washougal High School
April 21 6:30 p.m. Community Budget Task Force meeting to review, discuss and add to potential budget reductions list
April 26 10:00 a.m. Public Forum for community member input
April 26 6:30 p.m. Public Forum for community member input
April 27 6:30 p.m. Board of Directors meeting to review public input
April 29 6:30 p.m. Community Budget Task Force meeting to review public input and make final recommendations for presentation to the Board
May 11 6:30 p.m. Board of Directors meeting, Community Budget Task Force on agenda
June 22 6:30 p.m. Board of Directors meeting to finalize draft of 2010-11 Budget
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Preliminary Legislative Budget Summary
The following summary is based on information provided by the Washington Association of School Administrators and the Washington State School Directors Association. Although no official state budget has been released, the summary information provides a more refined picture of potential budget reductions for Washougal School District.
The legislative budget deal closes a $2.8 billion gap in spending and revenue and relies on:
$757 million in new taxes
$755 million in budget cuts
$690 million in fund transfers, use of reserves and other one-time budget savings
$618 million in federal funds
The final budget also leaves $484 million in the state’s Ending Fund Balance (that is, money left “in the bank” to cover emergencies or further downturns in the economy).
For K-12 education, the final budget makes $120 million in program cuts. The original 2009-11 budget appropriated $13.31 billion for K-12. Reducing $120 million, the revised appropriations for K-12 education is $13.44 billion.
The coalition of the major education associations that came together at the end of the Regular Session to focus in on common budget priorities was largely successful. These items have impact on Washougal School District:
K-4 Class Size Enhancement – The final budget maintains funding for a K-3 Class Size Enhancement
and reduces the enhancement in Grade 4.
Classified Staffing Ratio – The final budget makes no changes to the current funding level of the Classified Staffing Ratio.
I-728 funds used for professional development and lower class size –Eliminated.
Extra contracted day, Learning Improvement Day (LID) for certificated staff—Eliminated.
Local Effort Assistance, aka Levy Equalization – The final budget allows for an increase in the levy lid to 28%
and funding of LEA assistance at the current level.
Apportionment to be transferred to school districts on June 30, as usual.
Please check the “Budget” section of the District website for updates as new information is made available.
