Facing a budget shorfall of nearly $1 million in the next biennium, the Montesano School District expects to cut up to four full-time equivalent certified teaching positions, one instructional coach and to not fill at least one paraeducator job.
Thursday’s school board meeting, April 25, agenda includes expected action on Resolution 436.19, which lays out reduction in force expectations in compliance with state law.
The resolution says the anticipated deficit in the district’s next two-year budget cycle is $984,569. School officials are expecting to help defray up to $690,725 of that deficit with cuts to at least four areas:
- Central office and administrative personnel will work fewer days and an instructional coach position will be cut for a savings of up to $110,000.
- The equivalent of up to four full-time certified teachers will not have their contracts renewed, which will save up to $370,000.
- About $110,725 is expected to be saved from paraeducator attrition.
- Cuts to materials and student supplies, as well as cuts to the community preschool program are expected to save $100,000.
The remainder of the budget shortfall likely will come from the district’s rainy-day funds.
The Legislature is expected to add money for schools across the state. However, no bills have crossed the governor’s desk yet. The final day of the 105-day legislative session is Sunday, April 28.
Funds added by the Legislature could substantially affect how the district allocates funds. But they are required to notify teachers of cuts, based on the information they have.
The Montesano School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Simpson Elementary School, 519 Simpson Ave. W. in Montesano.
(This story was updated to show the number of paraeducator positions that will go unfilled is not known.)
