School Board adopts leaner budget

Faced with a projected drop in student enrollment, La Conner school board members on Monday unanimously approved a $13.8 million dollar budget that includes forced staff reductions in the new academic year. The amount is only down slightly from last year’s $14 million.

Three full-time teaching positions were cut. At the same time the board also approved a two-year labor agreement negotiated with the La Conner Education Association (LEA) during the 45-minute session July 25. It includes state-funded cost of living support and a 1.5% per annum local pay raise Superintendent Will Nelson and business manager Brian Gianello negotiated the agreement.

The total budget figure is bolstered by the infusion of $852,000 in state funds earmarked for removal of mascot logos deemed offensive to Native Americans.

Under terms of a state law championed by Rep. Debra Lekanoff, D-Bow, and parameters established by Swinomish Indian Tribal Community officials, La Conner Schools may retain its traditional Braves moniker but must do away with imagery that promotes harmful or stereotypical caricatures of Native history and culture.

The measure, signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee after receiving overwhelming support in both houses of the state legislature, commits funds to La Conner Schools and other districts with Native American mascots to address logo issues.

“Those funds are restricted,” Gianello cautioned. “You’re not going to be able to use them toward instruction.”

That means the de facto ’22-’23 budget will be around $13 million – including a $500,000 Swinomish contribution – in anticipation of receiving less state money for full-time enrolled (FTE) students.

La Conner Schools expects 530 FTE students in attendance this fall. That is a significant drop from the 650 students enrolled just over a decade ago and is down about 10% from last year.

Gianello presented and received board approval for a budget that earmarks $200,000 for capital improvement projects and establishes a fund balance of $1.21 million, only slightly below the district’s goal of maintaining a cumulative reserve equal to 10% of the budget.

The fund balance goal would have been met, Nelson and Gianello said, had it not been for about $100,000 in priority emergency repairs, most of that expense related to water damage at the Braves Club building and Tim Bruce Performing Arts Center.

“In order to not make it a deficit (budget) next year,” he said, “we’ll have to really tighten our belts.”

Board member John Agen predicted the district will have to brace for an increase of $400,000-$500,000 in faculty salary hikes next year based on the new two-year pact inked with the LEA.

Still, he praised Nelson and Gianello for securing a two-year agreement. Agen said annual contract negotiations are time-consuming and draining.

“It’s great to get a two-year contract,” Agen said. “It’s nice to be locked in and know what’s coming.”

Board president Susie Deyo thanked Nelson and Gianello for developing a budget that comes on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic amidst declining enrollment but also meets key district goals and objectives.

“Congratulations go to Will and Brian on getting this budget put together,” she said. “That’s hard work.”

Nelson, meanwhile, said district officials remain guardedly optimistic that student enrollment figures will rise going forward and thus help reduce budgetary pressure.

“We’re hoping for big enrollment increases,” he said.

Members opted to forego an August study session and will instead next convene on Aug. 22.