San Juan Island School District - A Community of Lifelong Learners

2008-09 Budget Challenge Update

(scroll down for earlier press releases)

Press Release – June 21, 2008

$5400 Needed by Wednesday to Fully Restore Athletic Programs – Total Matching Funds Near $200,000

Superintendent Michael Soltman reported today that $17,600 has been raised toward a goal of $23,000 needed to fully restore the athletic program for next year. Sandy Guard, Purple and Gold Board Member, said “$5400 is needed by Wednesday’s school board meeting in order to fully restore the athletic program without raising athletic participation fees.” Purple and Gold is coordinating fundraising to restore funding for the Boys Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling, Golf , Boys Soccer, and Track programs next year. Donations to Purple and Gold can be made through board member Kim Blake at Whidbey Island Bank, or mailed to P.O. Box 3124.

Charles Anderson, President of the Community Foundation, and Paul LeBaron, President of the Schools Foundation continue to be committed to raising the final $100,000 in matching funds necessary to fully restore funding for all programs and services for next year. Donations can be made directly to the foundations and all donations are eligible for matching funds. To date nearly $200,000 has been raised toward meeting the “Challenge Gift” of $300,000. Community members wishing to make a contribution may call the Community Foundation at 378-1001, or the Schools Foundation “SOS Hotline” at 370-7925, or to use the “donate now” secure link on the Foundation website, www.sjpsf.org. Further, the long range planning task force has had its initial meeting to consider legislative advocacy for full funding of basic education. The task force will work through the summer and fall to develop a long term funding strategy for the next 3-5 years.

Press Release – June 12, 2008

Donations of $13,000 Restore More Sports Programs - $10,000 More Needed to Fully Fund Program – School Administration Forgoes Cost of Living Raise to Increase Matching Fund Donations by $32,000

Superintendent Michael Soltman called a meeting of the athletic teams, coaches and parents Wednesday evening to facilitate additional fundraising to fully fund the athletic program for next year. An additional $23,000 is required in order to restore the Boys Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling, Golf, Boys Soccer, and Track programs. Sandy Guard, Purple and Gold Board Member, pledged $10,000 on behalf of the booster club board. Other donors in the audience provided an additional $3,100 to total more than 50% of the funds needed.

Soltman pointed to the challenge to raise the remaining $10,000 required within the next week so that the program can be secured for next year. Sandy Guard said that, "Donations to Purple and Gold can be made through board member Kim Blake at Whidbey Island Bank, or mailed to P.O. Box 3124. Planning conversations were also started to form a longer term funding solution for future years. Soltman said, "These athletic programs are important to the growth and development of our kids. We must develop a longer range plan to sustain these opportunities into the future". Donations should be given to Purple and Gold. All donations will be matched by the "Challenge Gift".

Soltman also announced that the administrative team and district office employees have chosen to forgo the 4.4% cost of living raise and apply the savings to the matching gift. The superintendent, principals, special education director, and district office employees issued a statement declaring their "commitment to help to secure essential programs and services next year and to offer the legislatively approved raise as further cost savings in the amount of $32,000 and a match for the challenge gift." Soltman expressed his gratitude to the team for their personal sacrifice and leadership during this challenging time.

Press Release – May 29, 2008

Roche Harbor Pledges $10,000 - Rich and Joan Komen Pledge $10,000 - Matching Funds Raised Total $175,000 – Additional $125,000 Needed to Fully Restore Athletics and Essential Staffing – Long Range Planning Task Force Forming

Recent gifts through the “Save Our Schools” Campaign have pushed the matching funds total to $175,000 toward matching a $300,000 “Challenge Gift” to mitigate anticipated program reductions. Recent pledges of $10,000 each by Roche Harbor Resort, and Rich and Joan Komen helped the campaign go over the half-way mark toward matching the challenge gift.

Superintendent Michael Soltman said, “With matching funds, $350,000 has been raised to restore program cuts related to a $600,000 budget shortfall. We are now able to restore classroom teaching positions, the Primary Intervention Program, part of the athletic program, and some essential secretarial, custodial and student support services. However another $125,000 must be raised to fully restore our programs and services for the 2008-09 school year.”

At a school board meeting Wednesday night about half of the athletic program was restored. However, still unfunded are Boys Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling, Golf, Boys Soccer, and Track. The board also identified staffing cuts in secretarial, custodial, and learning support positions in the amount of $95,000. Soltman said, “$125,000 will restore these remaining cuts, $23,000 of which would fully restore the athletic program.”

Paul LeBaron, President of the Schools Foundation, noted that every dollar raised now is matched by the “Challenge Gift.” He urges community members wishing to make a contribution to call the Schools Foundation “SOS Hotline” at 370-7925, or to use the “donate now” secure link on the Foundation website, www.sjpsf.org.

The school district is collaborating with members of the Public Schools Foundation and the Community Foundation to develop a community task force to determine funding needs over the next 4-5 years, and to begin to identify a long term school funding solution. A special board meeting is scheduled for June 6^th, 10:30 a.m., to hear presentations from legislative liaisons on current initiatives in the legislature regarding basic education funding. Representatives from the Washington Association of School Administrators and the Washington State School Directors Association will be presenting.

May 7, 2008

District Faces $600,000 Budget Shortfall for 2008-09

Local Donors Support School District with “Challenge Gift” to Mitigate Anticipated Reduction – Designated Gift Preserves K-12 UW Marine Program

The Washington State Legislature has progressively, and chronically, underfunded basic education in our state since “basic education” was redefined in 1978. Six recent studies estimate that it will now take another $2.4 billion dollars annually in order to adequately fund our schools. In 1993 our Washington State was ranked 11^th in the nation in education spending, currently we rank 44^th in the nation, behind Mississippi. A recent article in the Bellingham Herald summarizes the challenges to districts throughout our region -http://www.bellinghamherald.com/255/story/399806.html

Legislation passed this year has resulted in another $100 million dollar shortfall for basic education statewide. Underfunded cost of living increases and other program reductions are causing school districts across the state to consider severe program and service reductions. Our situation is compounded by a trend of declining enrollment over the past several years due to changing Island demographics. The San Juan Island School District portion of this shortfall is $600,000 for 2008-09.

Without increased local support, this shortfall will cause class sizes to increase dramatically, and significant cuts or program reductions in math, science and elective options, arts and vocational programs, sports and co-curricular programs. Transportation, food services, custodial, and secretarial support services will be substantially reduced or eliminated. A summary of possible program reductions and cuts has been created for board discussion if sufficient funds cannot be identified by May 15^th.

At a public meeting on May 1^st, community members took a stand to preserve these programs by raising local funds. Local donors have coordinated together to make a $275,000 “Challenge Gift” to the School District to mitigate anticipated program reductions. Charles Anderson, Chair of the San Juan Island Community Foundation Board, said, "These donors are committed to ensuring that our schools will continue to provide an outstanding education on San Juan Island." He is optimistic that other donors will also step forward to preserve our school programs and recognize the importance of education to a healthy community.

Donations include an anonymous gift through the “Fairway Fund”, as well as donations from David McCauley, Cloud Oakes, Scott Boden, and Charles Anderson & Pamela Gross. This collective “challenge gift” anticipates other successful fundraising efforts planned by the community including the “Save Our Schools” phone appeal through the San Juan Public Schools Foundation scheduled for this Thursday evening, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Donations can be made through the Community Foundation or the Public Schools Foundation website – www.sjpsf.org.

We are also deeply grateful for the generous gift of $10,500 from Carolyn Haugen to preserve the UW Marine Laboratory K-12 Outreach Program. Carolyn helped launch this program while principal at the elementary school. Carol’s desire is to preserve what she believes to be an essential part of our science program, and she urges others to step forward as they are able to ensure the continued excellence of district programs and services.

It is extremely unlikely that the legislature will take action in time to preserve the integrity of our schools and our programs, therefore, we as a community must take action to develop the local resources necessary to preserve the quality of our schools. The Community Foundation and the Public Schools Foundation are committed to addressing the immediate challenge of raising $600,000, and to creating a longer term local funding solution as well as lobbying the legislature to address the statewide education funding issue.