At its regular meeting held on Monday, Nov. 24, the board received an update on the state budget outlook, the district budget outlook and potential state funding reductions that would impact school districts. Funding with the greatest risk of being reduced or eliminated in the state budget includes the cost of living adjustment, local levy assistance of $3.8 million and I-728 monies of $12.6 million.
The district student enrollment was higher than expected this fall and above what was budgeted, which is a positive factor for the budget. Also, the district is progressing toward its original goal of saving two percent, or $6 million, in its 2008-09 budget. The moratorium/review on filling open positions is currently estimated to save $1.5 million. Superintendent Art Jarvis suggested the district be innovative in finding funding such as establishing a foundation. Administrators will provide the board with frequent updates on the state and district budgets
Administrators provided the board with more information on the use of kindergarten paraeducator aides in the classroom, and the board listened to parents’ comments. Administrators will provide additional information for the board at the Dec. 11 board meeting.
The board was provided with the entire list of recommendations for naming the new school at Portland Avenue that will replace Gault and McIlvaigh middle schools in the fall of 2009-10. The naming committee also provided the board with more names to consider in addition to the initial two names for the new school. Superintendent Jarvis asked board to reconsider its policy of only selecting names of persons deceased for at least two years in light of the historical significance of the Nov. 4 election.
The board approved:
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The mitigation agreement with Allito Properties, L.L.C. for proposed development in the northeast portion of the school district. The developer would pay $2,340 per each single family unit in mitigation of the impact of the development on the district.
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The submission of a grant application to College Spark for a potential total of $1,800,000 for up to six years for the College Spark College Readiness Initiative (Navigation 101). This initiative helps middle and high school students prepare to graduate and plan for college. The state Navigation 101 program provided funding for only two years, and Tacoma high schools are in their third year of Navigation 101. This College Spark grant provides continuing support to each middle and high school using the Navigation 101 program.
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The submission of a College Spark College Readiness Initiative Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) grant to provide funding to middle and high schools implementing AVID. This grant would provide $66,145 to $150,000 over six years.
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The agreement between the Tacoma School District No. 10 and Tumwater School District No. 33 for Tacoma students to participate in the New Market Skills Center for the 2008-09 school year.
The board authorized:
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The superintendent or designee to negotiate and approve appropriate contract modifications, as well as additional budget authority, for the Lawson Enterprise Resource Planning implementation.
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The superintendent to sign the interlocal agreement to establish a Disaster Recovery Center for the Tacoma School District and Puyallup School District at each other’s data center site. Tacoma Public Schools’ backup data center has been in southern Oregon. The Puyallup School District recently constructed a new data center that is designed to mitigate the likely natural disasters that the area may encounter. With the change to Lawson as the core information system, along with eSIS, the district is able to mirror its mission-critical applications and databases real time at the Puyallup School District.
At a special meeting on Nov. 26, the board adopted Resolution 1832 to reduce the 2008 Replacement Educational Programs and Operations excess tax levy from the voter-approved amount of $73,075,015 to $72,209,634.
Next board meeting:
On Dec. 11, the board will hold at study session on facilities use at 5 p.m. A public hearing on a performance audit report on school district travel practices will be held at 6 p.m., followed by the regular board meeting.