District spokeswoman Pat Nuzzo said now that the district knows the “actual scope” of the budget shortfall, it can start surveying “our broader community.”
Vancouver Public Schools has a budget of about $324 million.
The district has proposed action in 15 areas, including:
• A $3.75 million use of one-time fund balance, or cash reserves.
• A reduction of 21 classroom teachers for a $1.91 million savings.
• A 5 percent reduction to central office and support service budgets for a $1.2 million savings.
• The elimination of 11.8 counselor positions for a savings of $1.09 million.
• A 15 percent reduction of central office administrators for an $800,000 savings.
The survey will run until May 14. Results will be released on May 20. The district will convene an advisory committee of parents, staff and community members on May 23, and final recommendations, keeping in mind the survey and advisory committee discussion, will be made at the May 28 school board meeting.
Vancouver’s budget crisis is eased somewhat by $6.5 million in one-time funding legislators say is designed to ease the transition of the state’s new school funding model. The district will also reduce staffing levels due to declining enrollment for a savings of about $2.3 million.
Area school districts are still grappling with the fallout of the McCleary decision, the state’s landmark school funding lawsuit that ruled the state was failing to fully fund basic education.