The Blaine School District Board of Directors held a work session on Monday, February 23rd , for the purpose of discussion on budget planning progress for the 2009-10 school year.  Superintendent Ron Spanjer and Business Manager Donna D’Angelo outlined three progressive scenarios for program adjustment, based upon potential revenue decline levels.
 

While actual revenue numbers will not be known until the State Legislature completes their work later in the Spring, the scenarios outlined for the Board take into consideration a range of contingencies, with final program reduction numbers starting at $865,000 and ending as high as $1,240,000.  While some of the projection is based on an overall (economy driven) reduction of funding from the State of Washington, there is also a portion of the Blaine program reduction that will be driven by lower enrollment and increasing operating costs

The $865,000 reduction level presents for Board consideration:

• $205,000/Reduction of Non Employee Related Expenditures (Supplies, Professional Development and Contract Services)
• $100,000/Alternative Program Reductions
• $80,000/Athletic Program Reductions and New Revenue
• $20,000/New Food Service Revenue
• $100,000/New Federal Revenue
• $200,000/Certificated Staffing Reduction of 2.5 FTE (Salary and Benefits/Enrollment Driven)
• $160,000/Classified Staffing Reduction of 40 hrs. (Salary and Benefits)

The $1,056,000 reduction level then adds for consideration:

• $150,000/Additional Reduction of Additional Non Employee Related Expenditures  (Supplies, Professional Development and Contract Services)
• $50,000/Reduction in Level of Commitment to Previously Non Funded Program Needs

The $1,265,000 reduction level then adds for consideration:

• $25,000/Family Service Center Expenditure Reduction
• $100,000/Draw Down on Reserve Level For One Time Expenditures
• $50,000/Add Revenue For Potential Enrollment Increase

Blaine Superintendent Ron Spanjer stressed that while some level of staffing reduction will be necessary in light of three consecutive years of overall enrollment decline, the commitment remains to assure for the lowest level of adverse impact on teaching and learning, while also assuring for a maximum level of safety and supervision for students.

“These economic challenges are not unique to Blaine”, said Spanjer. “We will do everything possible in this process to maintain the overall integrity of an exceptional educational program”.