School district funding fifth lowest in state
November 21, 2008
By Laura Geggel
At a public education series, Kelly Munn was blunt about the amount of funding Snoqualmie Valley schools receive from the state.
“Frankly, the story is not good,” Munn said. “Your funding is terrible and it’s not your fault.”
Munn, the state field director for the League of Education, spoke at Mount Si Nov. 10 to a group of about 20 people. The Snoqualmie Valley PTSA Council invited her to help educate Valley voters about school funding.
In a PowerPoint presentation, Munn relayed statistics illustrating the budget crunch facing the entire state of Washington. Washington ranks a low 42nd in the nation in per-pupil funding and 45th in class size.
But the picture is even worse for Snoqualmie Valley. Out of 295 school districts in the state, the Valley ranks 290th in per-pupil funding.
“You guys are the lowest of the low,” Munn said. “You guys are impoverished.”
She recounted how Washington arrived at this state. In 1993, the state legislature passed the Education Reform Act, which implemented standardized testing. With little new funding for curriculum changes or training, teachers began teaching students how to take the WASL.
“Whether you are for or against the WASL and standards, they have changed education,” Munn said. “And the change is dramatic. It is a 180-degree turn in the way the state educates.”
Munn said the old state system promoted rote memorization, while the WASL encouraged students to understand concepts and problem solve.
Districts had to spend much of their own money to keep up with the new curriculum. In fact, state resources dropped. The state used to fund three teacher-training days, but now it only funds two. In the meantime, costs of education have increased.
“(The schools) need more services and it isn’t funded,” Munn said. “Most of it is coming out of your local tax dollars.”
School services come out of the operating budget — money directed toward things like salaries and supplies. Snoqualmie Valley has a lower operating expenses budget because of its per-pupil funding. In 2006-07, the Valley received about $7,500 per student. The state average was about $8,700.
Munn compared Snoqualmie Valley to Everett — the district that receives the most for teacher salaries.
“You pay taxes. So does Everett,” Munn said. “But when those dollars come back, they’re less for you guys. The school district has to use local dollars to make up the difference.”
But the Valley is also in a taxing bind; the levy lid is capped at 24 percent, much lower than Bellevue’s 30 percent.
If Snoqualmie Valley were to pass a levy at Bellevue’s lid, it could have collected an additional $2.3 million in 2009, the equivalent of 30 teachers.
On top of these monetary demands, Munn said school districts in Washington state have to struggle against a funding formula set in the 1970s. The monumental “Doran Decision” prompted the state to provide “ample provisions” for schools, as stated by the state constitution. School funding increased, but few modifications have happened since then.
Munn asked her audience to remember the 1970s.
“We had one phone line into the school, we hadn’t heard of Columbine, obesity wasn’t an epidemic, the U.S. was a global superpower superior in every category, (including) healthcare, education and technological innovation.
“The world has changed, but the education funding system hasn’t,” Munn said.
The 1970s formula only pays for five periods, making schools like Mount Si pay for its sixth hour. Other high schools, like Mercer Island, dig into local dollars to fund seven periods.
Several lawsuits asking for more funding are happening on the state level. The governor also formed a Basic Education Task Force, which is looking at the state of education in Washington. Munn encouraged people to call their representatives and tell stories of their funding woes to help change the system.
In Snoqualmie Valley, for instance, the district’s 2008-09 expenditures were about $1 million over their revenues, said Ron Ellis, the district’s business services director.
“As we look toward the future, that’s not a sustainable picture,” Ellis said.
The Valley is not alone in its troubles. About 25 districts throughout the state are facing bankruptcy, Munn said.
Munn advised community members to donate to the PTSA and school foundation as short-term solutions to help with school funding.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
