Orcas Island School District Superintendent Barbara Kline introduced a new idea to fund school programs at the regular school board meeting on June 25.
Working with the board to finalize the 2009-2010 budget by July 31, Kline described the chronic problem of “making decisions in the dark,” before either school enrollment or the fund balance are known.
Basically, Kline suggests that the scheduling reflect a full program of classes, but funding for some classes may only be budgeted for the first semester.
She described a Spanish class that was only funded for the first semester last year. Then as the students all continued on to the second semester of classes, the administration was able to “find the money,” because of increased enrollment.
She suggested a similar scenario for athletics, business and library programs.
“That way, we’re not committing to more than we can spend, but we have a robust program.”
In general, the Board met her idea with enthusiasm. Charlie Glasser said, “It’s an enormously good idea… a logical way of approaching the issue we face every year.”
Tony Ghazel said that it was important to be sure senior graduation requirements be met in any formulation.
Scott Lancaster asked when the Winter/Spring semester funding would be addressed, and Kline replied that, by October, the district will know the enrollment in classes.
Janet Brownell asked how the schedule would change in the spring if there wasn’t enough money — the “worst case scenario”– and asked if Kline could have some hard numbers to present at the June 30 budget workshop.
Kline said that she would be able to “show the largest pieces” of her plan at the June 30 meeting.
Business report
Business Manager Ben Thomas reported that, to date, the fund balance continues to remain high — at $521,000 — as compared to last year, when it was $315,000. In part, he credits Michelle Reed at the Orcas Island Education Foundation and Hilary Canty at the Orcas Island Community Foundation for expediting assigned funds to the district.
Thomas and Kline also commended Kari Schuh, Director of the Special Education Program, for securing $35,000 in the “Safety Net” grant.
Thomas also said that the Associated Student Body (ASB) fund (which is separate from the General Fund and has been an “area of concern”) is expected to be fully accounted for soon, after the final inactive accounts are removed from the system. He praised High School administrator Lisa Clark for her work at the high school office in managing the ASB accounts and reconciling figures with the business office.
In other good news for the school district, it was announced that $190,000 federal stimulus funds assigned toward the Special Education program would “free up” funds elsewhere in the budget. Title I funds of $40,000 for disadvantaged students have also helped whittle away at the annual budget deficit. The OIEF and the OICF have obtained $75,000 in private funding, and both non-profits are hoping to make that $100,000 mark, Brownell said.
To donate, go on-line to www.OIEF.org –or send a check to: PO Box 728, Eastsound, WA 98245.
Small point of clarification — the $75000 private funding is from OIEF and OICF combined. And both non-profits are HOPING to make that $100,000 mark. To donate, go on-line to: OIEF.org — so send a check to: PO Box 728, Eastsound, WA 98245
Small point of clarification — the $75000 private funding is from OIEF and OICF combined. And both non-profits are HOPING to make that $100,000 mark. To donate, go on-line to: OIEF.org — so send a check to: PO Box 728, Eastsound, WA 98245