Kings offers $50K to help schools…

The following statement is a bit of a hybrid press release with really cool news. The first part tells of a generous grant for the schools; the second part details why it’s needed and where it would be directed. The “challenge” part is key – that’s where you & I come in:

Kings Market Softens the Impact of Historic Cuts in School Budget –
Issues Challenge Gift of $50,000

Kings Market Corporate Officers Libbey Oswald and Sandi Guard announced today that Kings Market will issue a “challenge gift” of $50,000 in order to partially restore programs cut due to the $1,000,000 reduction made in the San Juan Island School District’s budget for the coming 2009-10 school year.  Oswald and Guard joined Kings Market President, Verne Howard, in appreciating the measures the District has taken to live within projected revenues next year and also declared that, “the community simply must not accept such significant program reductions due to the inadequate funding of public education by our State.”

Libbey Oswald, who is the mother of an infant and a toddler, has a vested interest in preserving the quality of our public schools from the perspective of a parent as well as a businesswoman committed to promoting a thriving community of working families. Sandi Guard, an active parent volunteer and mother of three who have been educated here, is also committed to ensuring the future of our schools and community.  “We believe that our schools are the foundation of our community, and that as a business our duty is to take a leadership role in supporting our schools,” said Guard.  “Consequently, Kings Market challenges our community to match our gift of $50,000 by July 1st in order to support essential school programs next year,” stated Oswald.

Three matching gifts have already been made.  Carolyn Haugen has committed a second year of $10,500 in support of the UW K-12 Marine Science Program through Friday Harbor Labs, Ann Harris has committed to the purchase of the 6th grade science books, and the San Juan Public Schools Foundation has committed $8,000 to the 6th grade math book purchase.  The District has published a list (make this a link!) of other opportunities community members have to support instructional programs and curriculum purchases.  Tax deductable donations can be made through the San Juan Public Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 1452, Friday Harbor, WA  98250, or through the secure website, www.sjpsf.org, or by phone 370-7925.

“We are so grateful for Kings Market’s continuing support of education on our Island,” Soltman said.  “Verne Howard and his staff have made available a generous challenge gift that will make a huge difference to our instructional programs next year.  Our community has a history of providing essential support to our schools.”  The list of opportunities for community support of essential programs and curriculum for the 2009-10 school year is posted below.

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The San Juan Island School District has met its financial obligation to develop a balanced budget for the 2009-10 school year by restructuring and reducing programs to eliminate $1,000,000 in cost.  “Such reductions are necessary due to the State’s chronic underfunding of basic education and a pattern of declining enrollment over the past few years,” said Michael Soltman, School Superintendent.  “This reduction of over 10% of the District’s budget cuts deeply into essential programs and services.”  The District has reduced district administration and teaching positions by restructuring to a K-6 program at the elementary school and 7-8 and 9-12 programs at the secondary campus.

Overall 5 teaching positions were reduced district-wide along with several paraprofessional positions providing instructional support and supervision.  However, 60% of the budget reductions were in non-instructional areas including district-wide custodial services, secretarial services, and central office positions.  “While most of the teaching positions were reduced through leaves and retirements, our classified service personnel were profoundly impacted by these cuts,” Soltman said.  “This past week we notified 13 classified employees that their employment would be discontinued at the end of the school year.”

Specific instructional program reductions included the elimination of the French program, and reduction of the drama and art program at Friday Harbor High School.  Further, a six period day was reinstated in order to accommodate teaching staff reductions.  “State Basic Education only pays for 5 periods of a six period day,” said Soltman, “and unfortunately there is no longer sufficient capacity to ensure that all juniors and seniors will have a six period program next year.”  “We need about one more teaching position in order to provide a full program to all students next year,” said Principal Fred Woods.

Middle School reductions included elimination of some elective programs and increases in core class sizes.  “We will continue to provide an excellent academic program to our 7th and 8th grade students next year,” said Principal Ann Spratt, “but we no longer have the capacity to provide some of the special classes in the arts, drama, and electives.  We are dependent on parent and community support to sustain these programs.”

The elementary school will once again house the 6th grade program which will include most of the qualities of the current program.  In general, classrooms will average 24-25 students per class in grades 1-6, and 18 students per kindergarten class.  “Reductions include the visual art program which will now depend upon the support of community docents,” said Principal Gary Pflueger. “The Primary Intervention Program, an elementary school counseling program, will be eliminated unless a funding source is identified outside of the general fund,” he said.

Funding of the District’s athletic program is no longer in the general fund.  A cooperative agreement with Island Rec to increase the recreation district levy by 7 cents per thousand will provide funding to ensure this program is sustained.  Assuming a successful levy in November, these funds will become available next February.  A successful fundraising event held in May by the Purple and Gold booster club raised $60,000 to sustain this Fall’s sports program.  “The facts were clear,” Soltman said.  “Without identifying this new funding source outside of the District’s general fund, the athletic program would have been eliminated.  We were simply faced with preserving instructional programs or athletics.  Thankfully, Island Rec and the community have stepped forward to sustain this valuable program for our kids.”

NEEDS FOR THE COMING YEAR

Friday Harbor Elementary School
6th Grade Elementary School Drama Teacher    $8,000
Primary Intervention Program Staff/Counseling Program    $30,000
6th Grade Reading Adoption    $8,000
6th Grade Math Book Adoption    $8,000
6th Grade Science Books (Whelks to Whales – 30)    $850
FOSS Science Kit Supplies     $400
Reading Mastery Corrective Reading – Intervention Materials    $6,200
Special Ed. Self-contained Classroom Equipment/Supplies    $4,000
National Audubon Society Field Guide (10)    $250
Gym Mat Replacement – 18 matts    $4,000

Friday Harbor Middle School
Middle School Elective Courses = .4FTE Teacher    $25,000
8th Grade Algebra I Books    $7,500
8th Grade American History Textbooks    $7,500

Friday Harbor High School
High School French, Drama, Art Courses = .8 FTE Teacher    $45,000
English Literature Book Sets    $4,000
Geography/World History Atlases    $1,500
Algebra I & II Adoption    $15,000
Geometry Adoption     $7,500
Pre-calculus    $7,500
Applied Math Adoption    $2,500
TI-84 Graphing Calculators – 1 class set    $3,870
Jazz Band Recording Equipment    $1,500

Griffin Bay School
Technology Lab Computers    $4,900
Supplemental English/Math Materials    $1,000

District-wide Curriculum Priorities
UW Friday Harbor Labs K-12 Program    $10,500
English Language Learner Program Support    $2,000
Smart Boards – Up to 10 will be matched by a State grant    $12,000
Smart Tablets – 5 for special education    $3,000

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