Keep focus on facing local challenges

School finance is becoming more and more challenging. When we keep losing ground we cannot continue to make up the deficit by asking our community members to fill the funding gaps.

For factual information look into all Washington state school ballot measures. Most districts are asking for $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property values. One in our region is asking for $2.50 per $1,000 but not continuing with their capital projects measure to balance the costs for their voters. If the GCDSD would have kept their levy total at $1.50 it would still have received more from taxpayers due to property value increases without then asking for $1.00 more. School districts with a levy also receive additional levy equalization funds. If you want to compare facts, check our local school district’s $4.20 per $1,000 for all passed ballot requests to all other districts. Now, remember our district gets Impact Aid funds as well to offset untaxed property.

Various factors determine funding amounts with Impact Aid. Usually funding sources can only be used for specific things. Impact Aid can be used for just about any district need. Districts that receive it can readjust how they use it based on their priorities. If districts choose to use it on excessive costs at the administrative level and/or other systems this is their choice, but they should make sure it is not at the expense of other organizational needs. Our local district could be using it more wisely to offset voters’ costs. All districts get other funding based on their student count. If you have more students you get more funds. There is additional funding for some subgroups. Amounts involved can vary. Also, there are districts that have secured large grants and or other significant sources of revenue to improve their budgets overall.

When districts are more efficient and fiscally sound, then overall, they may be able to spend more per student. Spending more per student is not always as simple as just having more money, it is how you decide to use it.

Research further by reading the “Proposal Could Limit School Levy Claims” article from the Washington State Senate in the Northwest section of the February 3, 2021 Spokesman Review. You will see my information has not been just speculation, opinion or perception. My suggestions are significant and valid.

I have held dual administrative positions for years. In one district the same size as the GCDSD this extra effort saved the district over one million dollars. I had to step up because that district had serious financial challenges and wanted to keep ballot requests low. They did not receive Impact Aid. This gesture was not required but it was greatly appreciated by the board, staff and community. Locally, let’s team together and stay focused on the district we love with creative solutions instead of deflection to other organizations where we are not taxpayers or employees. Many of these other organizations have very strong internal and community support. There is a huge difference between a district that has a very high versus a very low approval rate on ballot measures. I love my local district and the district I serve currently. Staff in all school districts go above and beyond (especially now) to do what is best for kids. However, the GCDSD has had high staff turnover, declining enrollment and declining yes votes on ballot measures. Our local district needs to start listening to and learning from community members instead of working in isolation. To earn respect and confidence it must establish responsible, sound fiscal plans that can withstand unforeseen challenges and be based on minimal fiscal requests from the community members.

When our local district loses longtime supporters there are serious issues involved. I truly believe that these complex issues can be simplified with comprehensive solutions, high expectations and accountability from all the key stakeholders in our local learning organization and school community. This unified collaboration must be monitored and followed through on. Change is always hard, but in this case necessary.

Respectfully,

John M. Adkins