School Board Eyes Olympia Warily

Though there was no budget agenda item during Tuesday night's Enumclaw School Board meeting, it was clear that money was nonetheless weighing heavily on the various parties in attendance. The School District has been keeping a close eye on Olympia as the Legislature works through a host of budget issues this year that has left education funding in a vulnerable place, and the situation is constantly changing, said Superintendent Mike Nelson.

Board member and legislative representative Tim Nickson rattled off a list of potential budget cuts that Enumclaw may have to content with by the close of the legislative session, including:

• $400,000 for the K-4 enhancement program that allows for smaller class sizes
• $260,000 in levy equalization
• $39,000 from the state's Highly Capable Program
• $175,000 from the National Board Certification Program

Nelson, in his General Fund report to the Board, provided some perspective that in spite of the dire situation in Olympia, Enumclaw remains stable for this year and can absorb the anticipated budget changes. There will be no staff cuts this year, he said.

Looking ahead to the 2011-2012 budget, he explained that there are four main indicators that help to illustrate the district's financial health. The indicators are enrollment projections and needed subsequent staffing to accommodate them, the current year's budget, projected budget changes from the state, and projected federal K-12 funding.

Enrollment, he said, continues to see a decline -- there are fewer students enrolling in the entering kindergarten class than there are high school seniors who are graduating.

Tim Madden, the district's business and operations director, said that though the current budget year was projected for and began on Sept. 1, 2010, the state's budget challenges may lead to further cuts in Enumclaw, including the elimination of the K-4 program. The state's woes have further affected the school district in the form of an $884,000 federal grant to preserve jobs that the district applied for and was given, he said. "The state will reduce the apportionment by that amount, so we won't get it."

At this point, district officials are still watching the developments in Olympia as they try to serve the best interest of the students, Nelson said. "We're keeping our thumbs on the pulse, but it distracts from our mission ... the mission of getting kids to high achieving levels."

Board member Nancy Merrill, taking an optimistic perspective, pondered the possibility that with the opening of , the district may see enough of a population boom to affect future enrollment. She pointed out that Gig Harbor is now looking to open a new elementary school that may coincide with the opening of St. Anthony Hospital two years ago.

Nelson added that with the Tri-Party school mitigation agreement with Black Diamond, as well as several potential city annexations, "it feels like we're primed for a growth."

Board Vice President Corey Cassell said, "The only thing holding us back is a sputtering economy."

Other board developments:

• The School Board approved after a second reading amendments to two district policies pertaining to students and telecommunications devices and to public access to district records. Newly sworn-in Board member Tamarah Knapp Hancock suggested wording changes to both amendments to clarify the policy on devices and to simplify and make more efficient the policy on district records. The board approved the two policies with those changes.
• District Human Resources Director Kathleen Lockyer delivered a report on the district's Climate Survey that was administered late last year as a way to gather input from the community, students and staff. Respondents indicated they were happy with the welcoming and safe atmosphere provided by Enumclaw schools; they found the staff to be competent and well-prepared; students said they were encouraged to do well and lead balanced lives; and communication was important. Among areas listed for improvement were technology, students' access to technology and better preparation for staff to serve students in learning and utilizing new technologies, such as the district's SWIFT (pdf) system. "There's a paradigm shift in how we opeate and how technology can assist us," Lockyer said.
• Superintendent Nelson announced that the State of Education address will be delivered Thursday, Jan. 27, at Enumclaw High School -- all are welcome to attend.