Space and finances at our schools
The Royal Register News
Our school district is in a really good financial position with a $2 million reserve in the bank which accrues interest of $50,000 every year. However, because of the overspending of the budget at the state level, local districts face possible state budget cuts of up to $1.5 million.
I would like to point out the fact that Washington revenues are still above the last biennium levels; however, spending has been increasing by 30 percent a year for several years. The irresponsibility of the legislature now affects counties, cities, school districts and even the family.
This week I read an article in the Washington Examiner that recounts the similar situation in the State of Wisconsin which many have read or heard about in the news. As a result of the governor there making some changes which were supported by the voters of Wisconsin, some school districts are seeing their half million dollar deficits disappear and go to $1 million surpluses by opening the medical insurance contracts to bid.
This is just one school district, and nearly all are seeing the same kind of budget miracles. I don't know if the State of Washington has sweetheart deals for medical insurance contracts linked to teacher unions like this, but it is certainly something that our governor and legislature should investigate.
As I understand it, the state dictates a large portion of the money coming from the state and where it goes. Our district hires six administrators that bring ideas to the school board on how to administer spending as well as cuts.
I would be open to listening to all of their ideas and would like to involve the teachers and staff in this process as well. The underfunding of state teacher retirement accounts by the state for the past thirty years is in my opinion immoral.
Our state provides over $10,000 per pupil for education. While the state is talking about cutting funding to local districts, I would like to see them talking about cutting the Educational Service Districts and the Superintendent of Public Instruction's Office budgets by at least 25 percent.
While we enjoy population growth in our community, it is not without growing pains. Our district, which has traditionally been extremely supportive of the school district and bond issues, has now twice rejected bond requests.
Whether this is due to the national economy, to economy fears of the future, including Obama health care, gas prices, or lack of public relations between the school and its patrons, is unknown. It could be all of these factors that are resulting in a no vote.
I filed for school board because I was asked by patrons to do so. I have three children in the district, attended all grades here and am invested heavily in the Royal community with my businesses, Royal City Harvest Foods, and also The Station, Storage and Car Wash.
In my business, we have upturns and downturns, and it is my job to operate the business in the black so that my employees are assured of a secure position, while at the same time serving the customer with quality products and service. I believe that this is also what the school district is faced with: Give the best possible education for the best available dollars.
I am definitely a conservative who believes in fiscal responsibility, in personal responsibility, and that spending more than is available will never have a good result in the long term. If you agree with my position, please vote for me.
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