This is a 13 minute video that walks you through the education system in place in Washington State and is an excellent foundation for understand future changes.
The next link is from OSPI (Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction) Washington State. Please note that this comes from the same department that supports and implements common core and the SBAC testing. Take it with a grain of salt.
http://www.k12.wa.us/LegisGov/Session2015.aspx
September 2015
The BGSD passed the 2015-2016 budget. Here’s the link: http://www.battlegroundps.org/blog/battlegroundschoolboardapproves2015-16budget
Please note that there are two (2) unresolved contracts that may affect the use of funds. Should the negotiation cost more than the reserve ($1.6 million) cuts will need to be made to spending from funded programs.
Update: July 4, 2015
I asked the Battle Ground Finance Department to give me a breakdown of the use of levy funds. Here is their response from an email dated July 1, 2015:
Dick – with the exception of the Transportation and the Asset Preservation line items in the document I scanned, each of the other areas include personnel and salaries to a fairly large extent. Since the 2014-15 fiscal year is not yet complete (8/31/15), I cannot give exact dollars and cents but using data from last year 13/14, I can give you the number of staff that are not covered by State funding and the salaries that are not funded by the State and I think that will give you the specifics that you are looking for.
For 2013-14
State Allocation of Classroom teachers, librarians, counselors and School nurses was 440.27 FTE. The actual staffing was 608.41 FTE. The difference of 168.14 FTE was funded by levy. The total funded base salaries were $23,489,570 and the actual base salaries were $32,364,794. The difference in base salaries of $8,875,224 was funded by levy. An additional total of $3,503,534 in salaries is covered through levy for professional development, TRI days, and extended days.
State Allocation for Principals, Assistant Principals and all Certificated Administrators (Superintendent, Asst Supt, Directors) is 37.53 FTE. The actual staffing was 45.96. The difference in staffing of 8.43 FTE was paid by levy. The total funded base salaries were $2,540,211. The actual base salaries were $4,305,674. Total Actual Salaries were $4,614,037. The difference in Funded versus Actual Salaries of $2,073,826 is covered by levy.
State Allocation for Classified staff was 160.72 FTE. The actual staffing was 243.97. The difference in staffing of 83.25 FTE was paid by levy. The total funded base salaries were $6,023,221. The actual base salaries were $9,907,498. Total actual salaries were $9,910,577. The difference in funded versus actual salaries of $3,887,356 is covered by levy.
I’ve pulled all of this information and summarized it from the OSPI website, District Allocation of State Resources portal for 13-14.
Adding the differentials above ($8,875,224+$3,503,534+$2,073,826+$3,887,356 plus a conservative 30% for benefits) = $23,841,922
Not included above but paid for by levy is $1,500,000 for additional special education staff beyond State and Federal Funding, $610,900 for High School Athletic Coaching Salaries and $101,650 for Middle School Extra curricular activities. Approximate Grand Total = $24,700,000
The 2013-14 levy collection was $23,468,320 plus levy equalization of $6,273,359 for a total of $29,741,679.
In total, approximately 83% of the levy and levy equalization goes towards staffing costs.
MaryBeth
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2013-2015_BGSD_Budget_Overview
Does the Battle Ground School District have enough money now or does it need more?
How will you vote on the upcoming “facilities” funding request?
Where do you think the school district can save money and why?
Budget issues are front and center of everyone’s concerns. Understanding current and future needs is critical. Staying in touch with the tax payers is essential.
For those of you who want to go through the full budget here it is:
Washington State is working on increasing funding for schools. Here is a link to a newsletter from Lynda Wilson that attempts to address some new information: http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WALEGHRCWILSON/bulletins/1056010