The Blaine School District Board of Directors met on Monday, December 7, to discuss priorities and options for proceeding with budget development for the 2010-11 program year.

With the Blaine School District fund balance currently projected to be at the 5% level (Board directed minimum), and the anticipation of unprecedented levels of revenue reduction from the State of Washington, the work of budget development will be much more complex and challenging this next year.

As the full scope of revenue reduction from the State will not be known until the Legislature completes their work in late March, the Board has directed the Superintendent and Business Manager to initiate a tiered program reduction process. It is intended that this process will account for a “worst case scenario”, a level which we most certainly hope will not come to reality.

Over the next few weeks, parents and patrons are encouraged to visit the web site in order to access updated information specific to the budget development process. As in the past, we intend to provide multiple opportunities for staff and community input into this process.

In these unique and challenging financial times, the daily learning that takes place in our classrooms will remain the highest priority for funding and support.

Questions specific to the 2010-11 Budget development process should be addressed to Donna D'Angelo,

Blaine School District Business Manager, @ ddangelo@blainesd.org, or by calling 360-332-5881.