Edmonds School District officials have rolled up their sleeves and started identifying cuts for next year. They’re preparing for cuts from the state that will come down in final form this spring.
While officials are looking for about $2 million in cuts, they don’t know what the final reduction will be.
“There’s that much of a wild card in the future,” said Nick Brossoit, superintendent, at an Edmonds School Board study session Jan. 20. “Maybe the governor’s budget is the best scenario.”
Statewide, Gov. Chris Gregoire’s budget carves $406 million from elementary and secondary schools and cuts another $360 million by not giving teachers pay raises.
The cut could get bigger or smaller, depending on what legislators do and how much worse the economy gets, among other factors.
The cuts are part of an attempt to close a projected $5.7 billion deficit over the next two years. Other proposals affect children, the poor, the disabled, health care and more.
If the governor’s budget passes as proposed, the Edmonds School District would be docked roughly $2.3 million in state funds next year. On top of that, officials expect to lose about $740,000 from declining enrollment.
However, the district will save about $725,000 next year when Woodway Elementary closes and will save another $725,000 if the school board votes in March to close Evergreen Elementary.
At this point, officials’ best guess is they will have to reduce $1.5 million to $1.7 million, but they’re aiming at $2 million to be prepared. The state house and senate will have a better idea of the budget hole when the March revenue forecast comes out, Brossoit said.
Given the economy, it looks like things will probably be worse in March than they were in December when the governor released her budget, he said.
“The governor’s proposal has no teeth to it until March,” said district spokesperson Debbie Jakala. “It’s not (looking) all that positive.”
Any layoff notices would have to be sent by May 15, a state deadline, and the school board must adopt a final budget by August.
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