Spokane Schools Could Lose $6.5 Million

The state budget proposed in the Republican-controlled House on Monday would mean a cut of $6.5 million, or 3.8 percent, from the budget of Spokane School District.

“We were told that Initiative 601 was not intended to impact education. We believe that commitment has been overlooked,” said Associate Superintendent Walt Rulffes, speaking to the Spokane School Board on Wednesday.

Board members and Superintendent Gary Livingston criticized the House budget, expressing hope that the Senate will offer a better proposal.

Board member Terrie Beaudreau called a $100-a-month raise for school employees combined with a cut in health care insurance “borderline criminal.”

Teachers have not received a raise for three years.

“It’s really an insult to the employees and the extraordinary teachers we have,” Beaudreau said.

House Republicans propose tying basic education funding to average daily attendance with the goal of decreasing student absenteeism.

The proposal could cost the district $2.5 million and would require a new districtwide system for recording daily attendance.

Currently, daily attendance is recorded at each school, but not on the district level. The district counts average monthly enrollment.

“We can’t cut teachers’ salaries or custodians’ salaries or heat or lights just because a student is absent,” Rulffes said.

Other cuts include decreasing planning time for education reform from four days to two days, costing the district $700,000.

Elimination of money for computer technology would take $600,000 from the district budget and a cut to the administrative allocation would take another $600,000.

Spokane School District currently receives money for 117 administrative positions, but runs with 109 administrators, including principals. The proposed formula would reduce funding to 105 positions.

Rulffes said the district uses the excess administrative money it receives to enhance the instructional program. If that money is cut, it will not come from administration, he said.

The district receives about 70 percent of its budget from the state.

Rulffes told the board to expect another $4 million in cuts if proposals at the federal level are adopted.