La Conner School Board approves levy for Feb. 2025

The La Conner School Board on Monday endorsed and approved a four-year replacement levy on the Feb. 11 ballot to bridge the gap between state funding and the cost of staff, materials, services and facilities during a briskly paced 40-minute meeting.

The proposal seeks $ 4,745,000 starting in 2026, $1.11 per $1,000 assessed valuation, the present tax rate.

The levy and contributions from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community offset a $1 million shortfall between state funding and rising costs in transportation, special education, utilities, insurance, materials and supplies, Board President Susie Deyo said.

Deyo noted that district administrators earlier this month joined Skagit County counterparts on a one-hour webinar with area state lawmakers to discuss their fiscal stresses.

Deyo said the webinar produced a positive dialogue.

"It was a good meeting, a very good meeting," Superintendent David Cram reflected. "We received good feedback from the legislators."

Director John Agen, though, lamented that the percentage of state allocations to school budgets has dipped in recent years.

"I continue to be disappointed in our legislators," said Agen, "for not following their mandate to fully fund public education. And the gap is widening. I hope our legislators will see fit to come to the table with proper funding."

Cram cited a two-and-a-half times increase in district insurance premium payments since 2019 as an example of the district's daunting challenges.

The board unanimously approved its leadership team for 2025. Deyo continues as president. Alana Quintasket will be vice president and Agen is again legislative liaison.

The mood turned upbeat when Cram announced the district's Moody's credit rating has been upgraded from AA to AAA now that the fund balance is above $1 million, up from $25,000 a year ago.

The Dec. 16 meeting opened with special recognition of the high school's state qualifying volleyball and girls' soccer teams. Key donations were recognized: $10,000 by the Town of La Conner in support of the Braves Hub program, $3,000 La Conner Rotary Club donation and the La Conner Civic Garden Club's $700 for wood chips for the elementary school playground.

Olimpia Zuniga's work with the district migrant education program was also applauded.

The board approved a lodging request for the annual senior class spring trip, which is often to southern California.

"We're one of the few schools to do this," said Deyo. "It's very unique. They earn the money for the trip and work hard for it."

Deyo and Agen reported on the annual Washington State School Directors Association conference in Spokane. Agen summed up a session on Artificial Intelligence, which addressed advantages and areas of concern, calling it insightful.

"AI is going to be here," said Agen. "It's going to be used. How we monitor it will be interesting going forward."

Deyo suggested drafting a policy to fully tap AI for its potential as a student learning resource.

The board will hold a special meeting in January to discuss a contract extension for Cram.