Edmonds seeks public's help in making school budget cuts

Last year, the Edmonds School District shaved approximately $12 million from its budget after receiving less money from the state. To balance the budget, officials closed two elementary schools

“I'm so proud of our community for stepping forward and not blaming us,” Superintendent Nick Brossoit said. “They understand it's the state and the economy.”

This year, Brossoit said officials are preparing to slice off another $5.5 million to $7.5 million, depending on where lawmakers, still wrangling during a special session in Olympia, end up setting the bottom line.

“Our most critical issue is state funding or lack of it,” Brossoit said.

The district of about 20,000 students expects exact figures by mid-April.

The school district will hold a series of community budget meetings scheduled for each Wednesday this month where parents, school employees and the public can offer feedback on where cuts could be made.

Brossoit said language and economic challenges are blocking some students from succeeding, and cultural differences make it difficult for some parents to prepare their students for college. One solution has been hiring a Latino outreach specialist to work with families to break down barriers.

“We're trying to connect students and parents with the schools,” he said. “The fact that we're short on resources is not an excuse to not fix this.”

Brossoit at meetings last month thanked voters for renewing the district's maintenance and operations levy last month.

The levy allows districts to continue to pay teachers above what the state funds; hire more teachers to keep class sizes small; hire para-educators; and pay for transportation, music, drama, athletic programs and some services for special-needs students, to name a few.

“We had the highest ‘yes' vote during a recession … we're very much appreciative of that,” Brossoit said.