The Phon-a-thon is coming October 18th!

Calling everyone on the island...

One of the fundraisers for the public schools on the island is the annual Phon-a-thon (which I’ll be doing a shift for, this year). This evening event features someone calling you for your donation to help keep the schools strong. I asked the school district folks to help me tell you why this is important, and this is what they sent over to share with you:

An Investment in Our Community’s Future—Phon-a-thon October 18

All school districts have financial challenges due to the way the state funds education. Our district has managed funds well and we have fewer of these challenges than most.

What are these challenges?

• Because state funding is significantly reduced due to the current economic situation—state support for K-12 education continues to decrease and budgets continue to be cut by the state.

• Revenue sources for public schools are based on sales tax, business tax, property and real estate taxes. These state revenues are down, therefore state support for K-12 education is down plus student enrollment has decreased, as it has statewide due to demographics.

• Voter passed Initiative 728 which supported smaller classes, was eliminated. Funds to support math and science teachers have been cut. Fourth grade has been hardest hit by larger class sizes.

• State forecast shows that there will be additional reductions and there will be revenue decreases to our district.

How have you responded to these issues?

Because we are faced with either cutting programs and services or coming up with additional levels of local support, we have taken several steps to balance the budget, for example, we:

• Teamed with Island Rec to protect the athletic program
• Hired fewer administrators
• Reduced building budgets
• Coordinated services by partnering with community members and agencies
• Reduced expenses through greater operational efficiencies
• Implemented strategic cuts

What are the various budget funds of the district?

• General Fund provides for maintenance and operation
• Transportation Vehicle Fund provides pupil transportation and equipment
• Debt Service Fund is for redemption of bonds and payment of interest
• Capital Projects Fund is for land and buildings
• Associated Student Body Fund is for student activities

What is the Maintenance and Operation Budget (M&O) and how does it work?

There is a maximum amount by law that we can ask the voters for to support and enrich programs outside the state’s definition of basic education. San Juan Island voters passed an M&O levy at the maximum amount but there is still a gap.

What will my Phon-a-thon contribution do?

It is vital for community members to continue to support our excellent programs.

The need is for:

• Maintaining class sizes/teacher retention
• Ongoing textbook adoptions
• Field trips
• Science supplies
• Art supplies
• Partnership with the Friday Harbor Labs
• Ongoing excellent local food program

Please join community members in supporting our public schools at the October 18 Phon-a-thon. You may contribute by cash donation to the general fund or for a program or item you would personally like to support. It takes all of us to support the quality programs in the San Juan Island School District.

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