Impact of possible spending discussed by Pateros School Board

The number crunching is underway at Pateros School, but it's still a little too early to tell exactly what the impact might be from anticipated cuts in state school funding.

District officials do know that one grant program, the 21st Century after school program, is being terminated, said district superintendent Lois Davies, and other funding cuts are pending. But what they will be and how they will impact Pateros is still to be determined. "We really do not have those figures yet," Davies said.

Gov. Christine Gregoire released a preliminary budget last month that attempts to meet the anticipated revenue shortfall with budget cuts, including education spending cuts. Programs funded through Initiative 728 and the levy equalization program are among those on the list for possible cuts. The I-728 program started with a voter-approved initiative that provides additional funds for specific programs, including smaller class sizes in kindergarten through fourth grade, school construction and teacher training. Davies said it "definitely" looks like there will be cuts in I-728 funding, but "how much, we don't know yet."

Levy equalization funds are paid to districts with lower property values that pass a maintenance and operations levy to make up some of the difference between them and districts with higher property values. Pateros qualifies for levy equalization, but Davies said the extent of the cut in Pateros's funding, if levy equalization takes a hit, is still undetermined.

Davies said she's been talking to teachers and aides as the legislature meets and the budget discussion continues, and she's going to keep meeting with them; she's asking school staff and district patrons for suggestions on ways to reduce expenses without impacting core educational programs. The district's extracurricular program is being reviewed along with everything else, Davies said, and she's been talking with superintendents in neighboring districts to see if there are ways to cooperate and possibly reduce costs.

In other business at the regular board meeting Monday, Jan. 26, principal Laura Christian presented a proposal for a parking permit system for Pateros High School students.

There is limited parking around Pateros school; under the proposal, students would be required to have a permit to park in the school parking lots and have it on display in the car. Students would be required to have proof of insurance (and of course a driver license) to qualify for the permit. Board members asked for time to study the proposal before making a decision.

Davies announced that volunteers working on a bond committee will sponsor a question-and-answer coffee hour Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 8:30 a.m. at the Homestead gift shop in Pateros. Davies will answer questions about the upcoming construction "Health and Safety" bond that will go before district voters Tuesday, March 10.

District patrons will be asked to approve or reject a $1.397 million bond; if it's approved, the money will go for upgrades around the school campus. The bulk of the money would go for a new heating system; also included is money for a new fire alarm-clock-bell system, new lights throughout the building, upgrades to the bus garage, new kitchen equipment and remodeling in the grade school bathrooms. Ballots will be mailed to voters about Feb. 20.

Davies said she's willing to meet with Pateros district patrons to discuss the proposal, either at school or off campus.