The Renton School District will present the results from a recently answered online survey and continue with its budget planning process in three community meetings planned for mid to late April.
After three community presentations in late January, the district collected 65 budget input surveys and 634 online surveys were submitted. Half of the online respondents were school staff members, nearly 40 percent were parents and the remaining portion identified themselves as community members.
The top priorities among those submitting input was:
• Keep class size low
• Reduce transportation for high school students and all extra-currucular activities
• Seek opportunities for increased revenues and identify alternative sources of funding
• Protect teachers time to keep focus on teaching and learning, and planning and preparation
• Ensure long-range impact of decisions are considered, and
• Maintain adequate investment in maintenance and operations of school facilities
All the input is now being used in budget planning sessions.
The district again faces state cuts of as much as $2.4 million from next year’s budget due to a projected state shortfall of $4.6 billion.
According to a district press release, during the past four years the state has cut the district’s budget by nearly $20 million. Cuts have been made in upper and mid-management positions; administrative jobs; grounds, maintenance and custodial positions, as well as streamlining operations to cut overhead.
Many parents asked the district in written statements to keep the Discovery program, or Renton’s gifted program, even though it was on Gov. Chris Gregoire’s reduction list. This would leave the district to make up the funding by cutting other programs.
Other written comments included asking for continued cuts in administration and other non-teaching positions.
SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNITY BUDGET FOLLOW-UP PRESENTATIONS
WHAT: The Renton School District has online survey results they will present in conjunction with budget plans.
WHEN: 6:30 p.m., April 14, Renton High School Commons, 400 S. 2nd St.
6:30 p.m., April 25, Lindbergh High School Cafeteria, 16426 128th Ave. S.E.
6:30 p.m., May 2, Hazen High School Library, 1101 Hoquiam Ave. N.E.
