Education funding cuts to affect Snohomish

The current economy has had a dramatic effect on our State budget and our State's funding of public education. Nearly two years ago, when the 2009-2011 biennium budget was approved, the State faced a $9.3 billion deficit. As revenues continued to fall, an additional $4 billion was cut from that budget. As we approach the 2011-2013 biennium, the state’s revenue forecast indicates a $5.1 billion revenue shortfall. Because we expect the legislature to approve significant cuts to K-12 public education, the Snohomish School District is forced to make cuts to its 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 operating budgets.

What does this mean for the Snohomish School District?

January 2011 Action

In late December 2010, the State legislature met in a one-day special session to make changes to the state’s 2009-11 operating budget. Included in the action taken was a $260.36 million reduction in spending for public education. The legislature’s special session cuts amounted to a reduction of $500,000 in expected revenue to the Snohomish School District. It was necessary for the district to make immediate reductions proportionate to those imposed by the state. At a January 19 special meeting, the Snohomish School Board approved cuts to the district’s 2010-2011 operating budget as follows:

 

Administrative reductions

  • All 12-month administrative positions (including principals, administrators, supervisors, directors, executive directors and the superintendent) will take a five-day unpaid furlough.
  • Elementary building budgets were reduced by 15%. Secondary building budgets were cut by 20%. Other district budgets were cut by $75,000.
  • The Assistant Director of Special Services and Assistant Supervisor of Purchasing positions were eliminated.

Classified reductions

  • All nine-month office personnel hours were reduced on Fridays to reflect the student day.
  • All 10-month office personnel hours were reduced to six hours on Fridays.
  • All 12-month classified employees will take a five-day unpaid furlough.

  • The Superintendent’s Office Main Office Secretary and Guest Teacher/Substitute Services Administrative Assistant positions were eliminated.

  • Five Custodian and three Maintenance positions were eliminated.

April 2011 Action

In January 2011, the legislature reconvened to continue its work addressing the remaining 2009-2011 deficit and begin its work on the 2011-2013 state biennium budget. Although the State is not expected to approve a final state budget for a few months, we do expect severe further cuts to public education. As a result, it is necessary for our district to make reductions to our 2011-2012 operating budget. At its April 13 and April 27 meeting, the Snohomish School Board will consider the below reductions to the district's 2011-2012 operating budget:

The district will continue all of the January 2011 reductions (see above). Additional reductions affecting the 2011-2012 operating budget include:

Administrative reductions

  • Reduce Career and Technical Education budgets by $75,000.
  • Reduce Resource and Service Center budgets by $25,000.
  • Eliminate Project Supervisor-Moving position.

Certificated reductions

  • Eliminate up to 37 certificated K-12 positions.

  • Eliminate up to 4 certificated alternative programs staff.

  • Reduce extended days for Psychologists, Counselors, TOSAs, and Librarians. 

Classified reductions

  • Reduce length of Administrative Assistant positions in the Teaching and Learning Services and Special Services departments from 12 months to 10 months.
  • Reduce Administrative Assistant hours in the Teaching and Learning Services department up to four and three quarter (4.75) hours a day.
  • Reduce Para-Educator hours up to the student calendar during conference weeks.
  • Reduce length of 12-month Dispatcher position to 10 months.
  • Elimination of specific Special Education Para-Educator positions totaling up to six (6) hours a day.
  • Reduction of Athletic Trainer hours from 40 hours per week to 35 hours per week. 

Co-Curricular/Extra-Curricular reductions

We would like to hear from you. If you have a suggestion about where additional efficiencies could be achieved or a question/comment about the cuts to education and the impact on the Snohomish School District, please see the feedback box at the top of this Webpage. Your input is important to us!