WV board talks budget cuts in special session

The West Valley School Board met for a special work session Wednesday to discuss upcoming budget cuts. Deputy Superintendent Doug Matson told the board that he expects a shortfall of $367,329.

“That’s the amount we’re going to have to absorb somewhere in the budget,” he said.

Most of the shortfall stems from the loss of funds from Initiative 728, also known as the Student Achievement Fund. It was approved by Washington state voters in 2000. West Valley uses the funds for certified instructional support.

Mason said basic programs will see a $4,599 reduction. The highly capable program will lose $7. The fourth-grade enhancement program, which also provides certified instructional support, will lose $107,303. The district will receive $111,802 through levy equalization.

Matson suggested some options for recouping some of the losses. The first would be to start participation in the Medicaid Administrative Match program. The state reimburses school districts when they perform outreach for students without medical coverage. Matson said the district used to participate in this program, but hasn’t in the last few years.

The second suggestion would be to re-evaluate district programs and find ways to reduce costs.

Superintendent Polly Crowley said some programs are already doing this. Cheerleaders, for example, will stop attending away games to save money.

Matson also suggested increasing the amount of money the district collects from its levy. The district is authorized to collect a set amount –$7.5 million – from property taxes and hasn’t been collecting the whole amount.

Board President Jim Williams said this idea didn’t sit well with him.

“Raising the levy would probably be a last resort for me,” Williams said.

Crowley said the district’s budget would be an ongoing conversation for the board before being approved later this summer.

“It’s good to know your leanings,” she said.

The board also decided during its regular meeting Wednesday to sign the memorandum of understanding for Race to the Top, a federally-funded program that the state of Washington will apply for in June, which could bring West Valley an extra $88,000 over the next four years.

Board members all agreed they were glad they had the option of opting out of the program in case they felt they couldn’t meet the requirements needed to receive the funds.

“It’s the open door,” Williams said. “(We should) go in and look at the buffet and see if we really want to eat here.”

Internet Safety Night

Student mentors from the East Valley School District will facilitate a discussion about Internet safety May 4 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Trent Elementary Auditorium, 3303 N. Pines Road.

Students, parents, educators and community members are invited to attend this session. A panel of students from Freeman, Spokane and West Valley school districts will share how to use current technologies for safe social interaction and learning, and discuss best practices while online.

Topics will include what kids are doing online, as well as issues around social networking, cyber-bullying and “sexting.” The student mentors also will discuss strategies and provide resources that can help parents educate themselves and their children about online safety.

For more information, call Brent Howard of Educational Service District 101 at (509) 323-2727 or Cari Roderick of East Valley School District at (509) 241-5066.

School carnival

The PTSA of South Pines Elementary in the Central Valley School District will present its seventh-annual carnival May 7 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The event will include pony rides, a petting zoo, bingo, a clown with balloons, a jumping house and fishing game, and participants can spin the wheel for candy.

There will also be a cake walk and food.

Tickets for activities are 25 cents, or wrist bands for $10.

South Pines is at 12021 E. 24th Ave. For more information, call the school office at (509) 228-4400.