Are school budget cuts and layoffs coming?
By Kraig Peck, WEA Uniserve staff person for NESPA and NSEA
Here's what we know. And here's what you can do to make the best of a bad situation.
STATE INCOME IS WAAAAAY DOWN.
Because of the decline in spending and real estate sales, State tax income is way down. That's what's behind the $8 billion (which may become as large as $9 billion) State budget shortfall. That's out of a total general fund (operations) budget of about $36 billion. It's a huge loss of revenue.
Washington, like most states, is being hit hard. But because of Washington's major reliance on the sales tax (and another tax similar to the sales tax - the Business and Occupations tax - which is a tax on the gross sales of businesses), Washington is hit harder.
We are one of six states without an income tax (Florida, Texas, Nevada, Tennessee, and South Dakota). Washington's sales tax revenue is very unstable, and declines precipitously in hard times - when the funds are most needed. (Also, our single reliance on a high sales tax means that average and low income people pay taxes of a much higher proportion of our income, compared to high income families).
Our State Constitution makes education the "paramount duty of the State". Yet we are 45th in the nation in per pupil expenditures! Though the State cannot cut what the Legislature inadequately defines as "basic education", they can cut plenty of education funding that is not defined as such - for example, Initiative 728 class size funding, our COLA's, our health care benefits, etc.
We need our Legislators to put a "revenue package" - a tax package - on the ballot for voter approval. Without additional revenues, we will be facing huge cuts.
* Please contact your legislators (again - if you already have) and the Governor. Tell them, "NOW IS THE TIME TO INVEST IN EDUCATION - NOT CUT IT." It's easy. Go to www.ourvoicewashingtonea.org or call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000. Either one will tell you who your Legislators are.
* When you are asked in March to sign a form, contributing $2.25 per month to WEA-Political Action Committee, it's a good investment. It's how we collectively provide support to candidates - Democratic and Republican - who support decent school funding. All of us must become advocates - for each other and for our students.
OBAMA'S STIMULUS LEGISLATION WILL HELP.
The increase of major federal education programs for Washington will be $1.72 billion - over two years. Here's how it breaks down:
The State Fiscal Stabilization Fund will be $1 billion for two years. (Some of this can go to programs other than K-12 funding.) In addition, Title I will generate $133 million and IDEA (special education) will generate $219 million over two years. School improvement grants will grow by $44.5 million.
The question now is how these funds will be distributed. In order to receive these funds, states will have to meet certain standards as will school districts. The Supt. of Public Instruction is working on this now.
These funds will save the jobs of thousands of educators and services to students, but considering that K-12 education is 40% of the State budget, it is not enough to make up for the revenue losses described above.
NSD'S BUDGET PRIORITIES WILL BE DECIDED SOON.
The School Board is seeking public input into budget priorities in case cuts are necessary. We have been told that they will ask you to prioritize about 40 specific programs/budget line items. Your input might make a difference in the outcome.
* Tuesday, March 3, Woodinville High School 7-9 PM Cafeteria
Tuesday, March 10, Bothell High School 7-9 PM Cafeteria
Tuesday, March 17, Inglemoor High School 7-9 PM Cafeteria
The Board is projecting a loss of another 183 students next year, in addition to a loss of almost 700 students since 2005-2006. No school district can indefinitely maintain its level of services without reducing costs in the face of substantial enrollment declines. Whether we like it or not, NSD needs to look at school closures, or cuts in educators and loss of services to students will result. The District has been making cuts in administration and facilities support for years.
We are carefully reviewing the budget and monitoring the situation to ensure that no unnecessary cuts are made. Last year, cuts were made to nurses, library assistants, and school office staff, even th0ugh there was no immediate budget need. (Our budget forecast was more accurate than the administration's!) Stay informed and get involved!
IF THERE ARE LAYOFFS, WHEN WILL WE KNOW?
After the Legislative Session ends (end of April is likely), the Board will review the situation. The Board will make its preliminary decisions on staffing levels for classified (including NESPA and NEOPA) and Certificated (NSEA) staff at the Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 26 at 7 PM in the Administration Center. Put it on your calendar.
Under our Collective Bargaining Agreement, before the end of the school year each of us will get a letter informing us of our status for next year. Displacement from one's school (due to enrollment declines, etc.) into another position are described in Article 20.60 of our Agreement. The layoff process is described in Article 29. Take a look at them. And contact your Legislators today (from home)!
