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closePeninsula schools could lose another $2.3 million in funding
District to hold forums, encourage community input
Nate Hulings
of the Gateway
No topic was off the table last Thursday at Goodman Middle School.
Peninsula School District Superintendent Terry Bouck stood in front of a crowd at the school’s library, fielding questions from parents ranging from the district’s budget to its plans for kindergarten next school year.
The forum, which was the first of four scheduled public meetings, was attended by about 10 parents, along with district officials and school board members.
Several parents, some of whom have current or future kindergarteners, asked about the district’s plans. Currently, it has an all-day, four-day kindergarten, a setup that Bouck prefers.
“I believe in it. I support it,” he said. “However, I need to wait until we have at least a good picture of what our budget looks like, big picture.”
Only half-day kindergarten is funded by the state, so the district had to budget $900,000 to make up the difference. And while it costs more for all-day kindergarten, the benefit to both the students and staff is worth it, Bouck said.
“With the standards they’ve had to meet, we’re trying to meet each child as they come in at their individual levels,” Bouck said.
Bouck added that tough decisions need community input, and that’s one of the reasons he’s set up forums. He plans to meet with kindergarten teachers next Wednesday to get feedback and discuss options for next year.
The district also has scheduled a committee of parents, teachers and community members to look at the different variables for kindergarten. Bouck hopes to have a final decision by March.
“I know that, during difficult budgeting times, there are many rumors that circulate,” he said. “There have been absolutely no recommendations made regarding the kindergarten program for 2010-11.”
A major issue for all district programs, including kindergarten, is its reliance on the state for funding. Last year, the state’s deficit ballooned to $9 billion, and as a result, the PSD lost $3 million in state funding that had been set aside for keeping class sizes low.
This time around, a shorter legislative session and a smaller deficit may allow the district more time to analyze its choices, said Chuck Cuzzetto, the district’s deputy superintendent.
News from Olympia isn’t as bleak this year, but proposed cuts could still result in another $2.3 million deficit for the district.
“That’s money we’d have to reduce from our budget,” said Cuzzetto, who added that the district’s current emphasis will be to keep a watchful eye on Olympia and react to the Legislature’s final adopted budget.
Budget cuts are nothing new for the PSD; four of the past five have required cuts. In all, nearly $9 million has been slashed. And with 80 percent of the budget going toward people, the ever-present question remains: What’s left to cut that doesn’t involve layoffs?
“It’s hard to find places to reduce that won’t really, really hurt students and teachers,” Bouck said.
Input from community forums last year told the district that retaining class sizes should be a top priority; but top priorities aren’t immune to tough economic times.
“That’s one area, where, frankly, if we get a $2.3 million cut, that’s an area you have to look at (for cuts),” Bouck said.
Bouck and Cuzzetto declined to comment on possible cuts until they know more about final state funding and other potential revenue streams.
Bouck also wants people to let state legislators know how they feel.
“I’m hopeful that our community sends a clear message to the legislators that we’ve had enough cuts in the last few years, and we really need to stop the bleeding as far as balancing the budget on the backs of our kids,” he said.
Superintendent forums
The forums are hosted by Peninsula School District Superintendent Terry Bouck and will rotate throughout the district’s middle schools to afford maximum opportunity for participation. All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end by 8 p.m. They are scheduled for:
March 15 at Harbor Ridge Middle School
May 4 at Key Peninsula Middle School
June 1 at Kopachuck Middle School