La Conner Schools gains financial contributions

La Conner Schools, which is considering installation of a campus garden, knows it cannot plant a money tree to solve the district’s present fiscal crunch.

But sometimes unexpected financial windfalls appear seemingly out of nowhere without anyone having gone out on a limb to shake loose the funds.

The district has received such a surprise, receiving $258,000 in federal impact aid monies, designed to assist districts with tax-exempt federal property such as military bases or Indian trust lands.

The allocation wasn’t anticipated at this time, school officials said and is a nice boost to the district’s cash flow.

“It’s a wonderful surprise,” Superintendent Will Nelson told board members.

That’s especially true since the impact aid La Conner received this year was less than had been expected. That combined with declining student enrollment and the loss of COVID-19 emergency funding cut deeply into the projected reserve fund balance, which the board seeks to maintain at 10 per cent of the $14 million annual budget.

The result has been staff cutbacks for the 2023-24 academic year and worries that popular features such as the Braves Club after-school program could be affected.

Several letters in support of the Braves Club, citing its value as a safe learning environment appreciated by parents whose jobs require them to work later than the school’s afternoon dismissal time, were read into the record at the board’s May 22 meeting.

One letter stated if the Braves Club were cut, parents would consider enrolling their students in a district offering an after-school program.

A letter written by seventh grader Kim Williams addressing campus food services was also read aloud and earned kudos from Board President Susie Deyo for the quality of its composition.

Nelson acknowledged and the board accepted the annual $500,000 contribution by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, which provides $415,000 for unrestricted expenses. The remainder covers items requested by Swinomish, including supporting the cultural-community liaison position, K-12 science curriculum and a behavior analyst to address post-pandemic stress issues.

“The isolation that took place for two years because of COVID-19 has had an impact on students,” Nelson said.

“We thank the Swinomish Tribe for this funding,” Deyo said. “Every dollar counts.”

Board member John Agen concurred.

“They have no legal obligation to give anything,” he noted. “So, this is really appreciated.”

Board members pointed out that in past years Swinomish has contributed $500,000 directly to the district’s general fund and made yearly $100,000 donations toward campus roofing projects.

The high school’s basketball teams were recognized for their academic and athletic achievements. The Lady Braves were bi-district champions and placed fourth at the state 2B tournament.

“To have lost three college-level athletes and still place the same as last year was a fantastic performance,” Agen told first-year head coach Joe Harper.

Braves assistant coach Rene Pedroza said that the boys’ team, which also clinched a bi-district title and advanced to regionals, placed fourth academically among state 2B hoops programs with a cumulative grade point average of 3.61 out of 4.0.

“Academics is important for us as well,” Harper said. “I think it was a successful season and we enjoyed representing La Conner.”

District Director of Operations and Planning Bobby Vaughn said that a turf specialist has been consulted on upgrades to Whittaker Field.

“We were told the soil is good,” Vaughn said, “but the issue (of an uneven and lumpy playing surface) has to do with differentiated grass. We have too many different types of grass on the field. We could weed and seed it and it might need some leveling.”

In closing, Deyo praised Director of Special Programs Andy Wheeler for compiling data that board members can use while planning for next year and Agen asked that budget information be made easier to access on the district website.