The Kent School Board continued its preparations for a “worst case scenario” budget Wednesday night by passing a reduced education program resolution detailing up to 129.28 full time equivalency teaching positions that may need to be cut for the 2009-2010 budget.
“The bad news continues,” said Superintendent Barbara Grohe before the vote.
Board members and district officials were quick to point out that they do not expect to have to make the full list of cuts, but because the Legislature has yet to pass a budget for the year, they are still unsure of funding and must prepare to notify teachers of layoffs by May 15. Teachers will be re-hired if funding materializes. Reduction in force (RIF) notifications will be hand-delivered to the affected teachers May 11.
“Between tonight and May 11 that 130 number might come down, but it won’t be zero,” said Grohe, who called the resolution “the hardest resolution I’ve had to recommend in 30 years as a superintendent.”
The district, like all districts around the state, are still waiting (as of April 23) for a final budget to be passed by the Legislature, but because April 22 was the final board meeting before the deadline for passing such a resolution, the board had to take action.
There is hope that while it appears the Legislature will be cutting drastically into school funding, federal stimulus money could be used as replacement dollars, but it is not yet known what strings may be attached to that money.
However, it appears the cuts will not need to be as deep as originally expected, according to a report from Financial Director John Knutson during which he said making $12 million in cuts was unlikely
Due to strict spending guidelines, the money may not be able to used in the same way as state funding, meaning that despite being a similar amount of funds, it must go to different programs and teachers may still need to be cut.
“Between tonight and May 11 we will take into account what we know about federal stimulus dollars,” Grohe said. “The next important piece is what happens at the Legislature.”
“This is not a point we wanted to be,” Board president Jim Berrios said.
“We’ll do the best we can,” Board Member Sandy Collins said. “We sure don’t want to lose our people.”
Layoffs in the Kent School District are based on seniority, certifications and positions needed to be filled.
“If you’re a new teacher in our school district, you’re having an anxiety attack about now,” Grohe said, prompting a voice from the back of the room to call out a nervous “yeah.”
Grohe said this is the first time in her 10 years with the district that RIF notices have had to go out.
“This is just a very difficult time,” she said.
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