· WHAT ARE SOLUTIONS: For us – for other rural schools.
Redefine our funding status from “small school” to “remote and necessary.” While we do not come close to the enrollment threshold for remote and necessary funding, we are a de facto remote and necessary school. This is something that should be considered for ALL island districts.
Orcas Island has a generous and supportive electorate. While we do not want to relieve the legislature of its duty to amply fund public education, we are also looking at our own self-interest. To that end, we ask that the Legislature start allowing higher levy lids (a lid lift as it were) on districts such as ours that choose to pursue that avenue of local funding.
Restructure funding for administrators. Right now the funding formula for administrators is based on what that administrator was paid in 1978. We receive less than half of what we are paying our administrators.
Teacher relocation support for small school districts in “land rich” communities. Orcas Island will be facing some retirements within its certified staff over the few years. Attracting young teachers will be difficult as Orcas is an expensive place to live. Some sort of relocation subsidy would help us bring dynamic, bright, new teachers to the island.
As enrollment continues to drop, it would be helpful to average enrollment over a period of time when creating a budget. This year, for example, we budgeted for fewer students and, therefore, a drop of $100,000 in state revenue. If we were to average our enrollment over (i.e.) a three year period it would allow us to plan for declining enrollment instead of reacting to it in such draconian methods. This would help ALL rural/small districts
Relief from ferry tickets and some additional subsidy for fuel costs. Again, as an island, we are spending more dollars on travel, way beyond what other similar sized districts are spending. Suspension of ferry fees would put $10000 in our general fund and pay, for example, for our woodworking teacher.
Recognize the impact of Special Education on small, isolated districts. Enhanced funding?
