By MICHAEL SOLTMAN
For The Beachcomber
Washington state ranks 44th in the nation in per-student funding and, worse, 45th in student-teacher ratios and class size.
Recently, the Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS), a coalition of more than 70 community organizations, school districts and education associations, sued the state to compel it to live up to its constitutional duty to make ample provision for the education of all children.
King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick ruled that state funding of education does not meet the constitutional requirements of being ample, stable and dependable.
The court ordered the Legislature to determine the actual costs of public education and establish a reliable means to pay for it. However, the judge did not set a timeline for this process.
Meanwhile, the Vashon Island School District faces an estimated $300,000 to $450,000 shortfall for 2010-11 due to additional state cuts to public education funding. I empathize with our lawmakers’ challenge to balance the state budget. However, our state Constitution is clear, as is Judge Erlick’s ruling, that it is the Legislature’s paramount duty to fund public education.
“Paramount” means more than “important.” It means “first.” Yet, the budget that the Legislature is the final throes of approving will again reduce funding to public education — a reduction that could spell cuts of $112 to $215 million statewide for 2010-11.
What does this mean to the Vashon Island School District? The anticipated loss of $300,000 or more next year is in addition to the shortfall we had last year.
This challenge must be addressed through a mix of leveraging local revenue, increasing donations, improving program and service efficiencies and program reductions.
This year we reduced bus service, library staff, school nurses, art classes and co-curricular programs. We also raised some fees. Islanders’ contributions to the Save Our Teachers Initiative let us restore a high school counselor position and part-time librarian.
The Legislature has also decided to allow you — local taxpayers — to help fill part of the coming shortfall by letting school districts collect more levy money in those districts where voters agree to provide additional funds. As a result, our district will likely be able to collect an additional $250,000 for 2010-11 — funds Vashon voters have already approved.
The school board and I are committed to providing our educational programs more cost-effectively. For example, we recently purchased equipment that reduces the time it takes to clean school floors by several hours each day, freeing custodial staff to do more important tasks. We are considering having all three schools start the day at the same time, probably 8 a.m., which would make it easier for teachers to teach classes at two schools and confer with their peers.
We will continue building partnerships with other Island organizations to share costs. Last year we partnered with the Vashon Park District to share the costs of maintaining athletic fields. This year, the park district will start covering some of our shared expenses, such as the costs of watering the fields and lighting and heating the buildings we use in common. We are beginning to explore partnerships with Island private schools to share space and other resources.
We are also committed to raising revenue. Our best opportunity lies in the desirability of our schools to families on the mainland. Each “off-Island” student brings $5,200 in state funding to our district. Having commuting students fill space that is available in our elementary and middle schools could provide another $100,000 to $150,000 with nominal cost.
Local philanthropy is an essential source of support. Over the past several years, our Parent Teacher Student Association and Partners in Education have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for our classrooms. They buy textbooks, science kits and equipment. They help pay for development of curriculum and teacher training.
The Vashon Rotary buys dictionaries for our third-grade classrooms. A bequest from James Bruchas paid for the repair and purchase of musical instruments.
The Vashon Community Scholarship Foundation provides money toward college for every graduating senior who applies.
Supporters of our athletic programs donated money to restore the golf and junior varsity baseball programs.
This year the creators of the “Dreamboats” calendar donated more than $18,000 toward curriculum and professional development.
While the original intent of these school support organizations was to enhance and enrich our programs, increasingly we have become absolutely dependent upon them to meet our basic instructional needs. This year’s PTSA auction on May 15 is more important than ever!
We are taking the first steps toward a long-term fundraising strategy that may include creation of a Vashon Schools Foundation. With multi-year donations and bequests, such a foundation could be key to the future viability of the high quality of public education on Vashon.
Inevitably, we will have to cut some programs. State law restricts what we can cut, and that is why the first things to go often are bus routes, library staff, counselors, music and art programs, co-curricular programs and elective classes.
By mid-July we must close the anticipated gap of $300,000 to $450,000 and approve a balanced budget for 2010-11. We remain committed to communicating the possibilities and look forward to input from parents and community members as we go forward.
— Michael Soltman is superintendent of the Vashon Island School District.
