It’s the state’s fault—well mostly.

The Bainbridge Island School District shares the blame for its $6.6 million budget shortfall because of declining enrollment and mismanagement of funds the past few years.

But at the school board meeting March 12 district officials blamed the state for funding shortfalls year after year for money issues not only on BI but almost everywhere in the state. “We were very, very disappointed in the legislative session and the lack of funding that has come forward for K-12 education,” superintendent Amii Thompson said, adding there needs to be equitable funding for every student in the state.

Board member Kelly Cancialosi, the group’s legislative representative, called on the community to participate in a Town Hall meeting March 22 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Bainbridge High School. All of the District 23 legislators—Sen. Drew Hansen and Reps. Greg Nance and Tarra Simmons—will be there. “We need to turn out in droves,” she said. “We must be as loud as possible—tell our legislators this is completely unacceptable.”

She and Thompson both said the state Constitution mandates “the ample funding of education” as the top priority for lawmakers. “This just is not happening. We need your presence at this event, so we can show them how crucial increasing school funding is.”

Board member Evan Saint Clair agreed. “It is so important to show up,” he said. “If they don’t see you there, they don’t respect you. They’re not gonna listen to you. They will not give your words the importance that they need. We need to pack those rooms.”

He mentioned that when Nance had recent “Fix the Ferries” Town Hall meetings they were packed. That legislation passed 87-9. He pointed out state leaders hear from school officials all the time, but they need to hear from citizens. “We have to show them.”

Staff cuts

District finance director Kim Knight then talked about the tough decisions that need to be made to deal with the deficit, and also explained the state’s role in the problem.

She said BI’s first Reduction In Force notifications and reassignments will be out by the end of this month to give those employees as early of notice as possible. Another round will take place after negotiations with bargaining units in April.

The district projects it will have 2,526 students next year, down 85. The district gets $11,600 for each student. It’s a flat rate, and, “There’s no mention of interventionists,” Knight said. The state did enhance support for social, emotional and mental health needs, but the funding only meets a fraction of the cost.

Knight pointed out that 45 other states have figured out how to have student- based funding but Washington uses a resource-based model that “doesn’t take into account student needs.”

About 73% of the district’s money comes from the state, with local taxes providing 17% and federal money 2%. BISD has 233 teachers, but only 185 will be funded next year. The average staff salary is $122,000, while the state pays $97.801. It funds only four of 12 sick days and no personal days.

Total revenue is $66 million and costs are $72 million. BISD also has to deal with insurance going up 15% and utilities 7.5%. About $6 million of the cuts will come from reduction in salaries and benefits.

She said special COVID funding helped mask the problem for a few years, but now BISD is dealing with having no money in reserves.

Curriculum and Technology Education is one area that likely won’t see cuts—and could see increases— because staffing costs are lower, while reimbursement rates are higher.

BISD is looking at increasing fees to bring in money. Local levies is one option. Another is asking students if they would be willing to fund more for athletics. Renting out school space is another possibility. Along with the sports fee athletes already pay, a transportation fee is being considered. The district will work with donors to help those who can’t afford it. A fee of up to $75 for all students in grades K-12 also is being discussed, but Knight said it won’t be anywhere near the $1,500 charged elsewhere.

Concerns were made about potential changes with the Department of Education, but it was brought up federal funding is minimal. Another concern was about the district already being short-staffed, and now it will be only worse.

Knight said the BISD goal is to have $1 in reserves at the end of the year otherwise the state could have a special administrator provide more oversight. That would mean locals would have less authority over decisions.

Board president Mark Emerson said there could be a “silver lining to this very dark cloud.” He said one of the best things the district can do for diversity and equity is to run a fiscally tight ship. “So as we bring on new staff, which, just by a matter of course, will most likely be more diverse, and we can practice that equity within our district.

“But it’s a struggle, and it’s going to be long. So we’ve been trying to move the needle for 20-25 years, and it is so tough to say to a donor, to a taxpayer, it’s like, ‘Give us money now, and in twenty years, man, it’s gonna be awesome.’”