A Web-based newsletter for the staff of Everett Public Schools

Dec. 10, 2009, Special Edition (NewsLinks articles are now archived on Docushare)

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – comments on the governor’s budget announcement and advocating for education funding

Each December the governor’s budget proposal ushers in the January legislative process. Using that December budget proposal as a starting point, legislators spend the next season compromising on a final budget before their session ends.

Gov. Christine Gregoire’s budget proposal announced yesterday is based upon a daunting $2.6 billion state budget shortfall. By law, she is required to present a balanced budget. To be balanced, the proposed budget makes deep slashes to programs and services across the state – including almost every program that is not included in the state’s definition of “basic education.”

This first-of-the-season budget proposal marks months of challenging work for the legislators and for educators around the state. To prepare for this news, we are involved in the following efforts to problem-solve and collaborate on a funding solution for K-12 education:

Last fall, the school board and I began inviting legislators to one-on-one meetings at the Educational Service Center. We presented each with legislative priorities that include fully funding I-728, restoring COLA, increasing the state’s share of transportation costs and preserving invaluable staff professional development days. Repeatedly they have indicated they know the good work you are doing in schools and that they appreciate having the background and data that will help make it possible to advocate on our behalf.
In February, the school board, ASB leaders from each high school and I will travel together to the WSSDA legislative conference. There we will again present the case for preserving funding that is so critical for now and for the future. This is the first time Everett Public Schools students have traveled to this conference, and we are enthusiastic about their joining us on the trip because they represent the best of what you do and why funding for K-12 is so important.
Our district and the Puget Sound Schools Coalition have been working for a year with legislators to preserve our levy authority – to maintain the level of local funding that voters have historically approved for schools.
Last week I announced the formation of a Fiscal Advisory Council that will build upon the work of this district’s Budget Advisory Committee. The membership will include a representation of staff and community and will hold its first meeting on Dec. 16. Shortly, I will announce the membership so you know how your voice will be represented in the group.

Please know, the cost-reduction and budget work this district did last year was exemplary. You made some of last year’s $9 million cuts proactively, knowing that the 2010 legislature would very likely face more budget challenges because of the state’s economy. However, the difficult decisions made last year cannot stave off the massive cuts represented in this first version of the governor’s budget.

That said, please remember that yesterday’s budget announcement by the governor is just the first step in the state’s budget process. She has been open about her dissatisfaction with the cuts the legally-required balanced budget represents and her plans to present ways to increase revenue. There are wide-spread conversations about tax increases, and some are discussing a state referendum to better fund education.

The state and K-12 budget landscape will change many times between now and the end of the legislative session, and I continue to be hopeful. However, it would be unwise to expect the results to be rosy. In my 30 years of education, I have never seen the funding crisis for public education as challenging as it is right now.

Rather than being disheartened by current news, I am even more determined as your superintendent to support the amazing work you do for others – in your classrooms and throughout the community. We are in a better position now than many districts because of your dedication, smart work, excellent planning and resilience. Together, we will get through these times. I am confident we will continue our mission of serving the educational needs of each child.

Links to more budget information:

WSSDA 12.09.09 analysis of the governor’s budget proposal

OSPI Superintendent Randy Dorn’s response to the governor’s budget proposal

Gov. Gregoire’s 12.09.10 budget proposal

Thank you for your advocacy work!

While many of us are advocating at the legislative level for education funding, even more of you are volunteering your time on behalf of the two levies voters will find on the ballot on Feb. 9. Given the governor’s announcement and the potential for more state funding reductions, stable local support for schools is even more important. The four-year Replacement Levy for Educational Programs and Operations now makes up $1 of every $5 in the operations budget. It equals approximately $33 million per year. The Building Repair and Technology Levy will pay for even more projects not included in the state’s definition of “basic education” – including computers and software and funding to replace roofs and heating and cooling systems.

I see so many of you at Levy Central, making phone calls, searching for phone numbers and telling the district’s story. This effort is unlike anything I’ve seen in other districts, and it is one more example of this district’s spirit of working shoulder to shoulder toward a common goal.

Because politics and funding can impede or enhance our work, a superintendent must spend a lot of time working those issues. At the same time, my priority is to spend lots of time in classrooms. Your warm reception to my school visits has been a joyful reprieve from the other demands of this job. During these first six months, I’ve been able to make 97 school visits. While some of those have been all too short, “touch and go” landings, each continues to affirm that this is a district staff of highly professional and caring adults working on behalf of each student. Thank you for what you do and for welcoming me as a member of your team.

You are generous! Thank you! This year’s United Way campaign set an all time district record! Total participation jumped to 28 percent and grew to 404 staff members. Your total giving rose 15 percent to an impressive $108,324. Our community thanks you for your generosity – especially during this tough economic time. Also, the Foundation's board of directors thanks all staff members who chose to designate a portion of their donation to the Foundation this year in support of all of our staff and students.

Thank you to the Foundation for $32,000 in classroom grants. Congratulations to staff for their innovative, winning applications. See the full list of grant winners.

Everett Public Schools complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or disability. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district's Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Officer, ADA District Coordinator, or Section 504 Coordinator. Affirmative Action Officer, Carol Stolz, 3715 Oakes Ave., Everett WA 98201, 425-385-4106, Title IX Officer, Randi Seaberg, 3715 Oakes Ave., Everett WA 98201, 425-385-4104, ADA Coordinator, Kristine McDowell, 202 Alder St., Everett WA 98203, 425-385-5250, Section 504 Coordinator, Becky Ballbach, 4730 Colby Ave., Everett WA 98203, 425-385-4086.

Diane Lindenstein

Communications Dept.

Everett Public Schools

425-385-4040

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