School Board Cuts Staff, Effective This Month

Updated Feb. 2 at 10:30 a.m.

The Orcas Island School District Board of Directors authorized cuts amounting to $119,000 in non-represented personnel and school transportation last night.

They did so reluctantly, after input from the Budget Advisory Committee, and after school administrators worked to minimize the impacts. Adjustments were made to the transportation reduction, which was changed to $6,500.

The cuts, most reflecting base pay and benefits in the total reduction amount,  are as follows:

Reduce .57 effective FTE para Educators   992.25 hours             $23,134.82

Close Library                                                   519 .75 hours             $13,116.10

Reduce Waldron Aide position by half         167.00 hours               $3,892.67

Reduce Bus & Fac. Managers 1hr.day           240 .00 hours            $9,141.60

Reduce classified non-rep positions              668.00 hours              $17.499.09

Reduce office positions 1 hr/day                     385.00 hours               $9,223.21

Reduce Prof/Tech positions 1 hr/day             231.00 hours               $6,384.70

Reduce custodial positions 2 hr/day               720.00 hours             $17,256.02

Reduce maintenance positions 1 hr/day         197 .00 hours              $4,830.85

Recommended transportation reduction                                               $8,800

Apply for waiver for 2 snow days                                                           $6,000

Grand total of all reductions                                                                    $119,279.07

The snow days’ waiver is under consideration by the State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and is not guaranteed. Last month, Orcas School District called four snow days; however, two of the days were after the Governor declared a state of emergency due to the snowfall and icy conditions.

The cuts would all be effective later this month, on Feb. 27.

Business Manager Keith Whitaker, who along with all office personnel faces a daily hour reduction, said, “Without these cuts,  it would be untenable, with them we can move forward and hopefully make progress on other fronts as well.”

District administration conferred with the Budget Advisory Committee(BAC) on Monday. BAC Chair Steve Diepenbrock said that the group considered three approaches to balancing the budget this year and still retaining a $200,000 fund balance:

1)     Broaden fundraising beyond Orcas Island Education Foundation measures

2)    Review budget and look for savings such as potential energy expenses

3)    Make current suggested budget cuts and reductions

OISD Superintendent Barbara Kline told the board as she reviewed the cuts that the BAC confirmed that the board and administration had “built a really tight budget.” However, with enrollment lower than anticipated and expenses higher than scheduled, they have been looking at the $150,000 shortfall for at least six months.

Kline made the point several times during the meeting that if the full amount of annual property taxes are paid on the April 30 half-year date. the general fund would then reflect a healthier fund balance for this school year.

The transportation reduction drew the most comment from the public: at first it was suggested that the reduction could best be obtained by combining all three bus routes to one bus trip in the afternoon. The other savings alternatives were to cut one day per week bus service on all routes or to cut afternoon bus service one day per week. The OISD board agreed to direct Elementary/Middle School Principal Kyle Freeman and Facilities Engineer David Johnson to formulate a plan to reduce transportation by $6,500 and to use the four-day per week bus schedule as the model.

The impact of cutting para-educators, particularly for Special Education students, was protested. Parent Tess White, who is a preschool teacher, said “The paraprofessionals are not just there for special ed kids but for general education kids who are benefiting dramatically.”

Board Director Scott Lancaster said, “I’d like to remind everyone what we’re talking about is the rest of this semester; we’ll still be challenged going into next year.

“The opportunity side is, we know where we have to be as we head into the budget for next year.”

Director Chris Sutton said, “We all know the bottom line is a moveable target: we make these decisions today, what happens if in two months things are better or worse than we thought?”

Kline responded, “We can only see from where we’re standing: right now this looks good. ” She repeated that paying full property tax amounts in April would benefit the current situation.

Board Director Janet Brownell said, “We’re locked into the budget and these are the only places we can cut.” She responded to an offer by teacher Lorena Stankevich to help fund the school bus service, and to other fundraising plans, by encouraging those who can make a donation to do so by going to www.oief.org and making an online contribution. She noted that funds can be designated to specific areas.