Renton schools offers balanced budget for 2007-08

Process to cut expected needs involves reducing workforce

April 11, 2007—The Renton School District, like other districts across the state, is tightening its belt in preparing next year’s budget in order to cope with projected state-mandated increases in pay and benefits, and exponential increases in the cost of diesel fuel, construction materials, paper, insurance and other operating costs.

The district recently presented the School Board with a proposed budget of $112 million for the 2007-08 school year, which includes reduction of administrative and other support staff positions and elimination of some programs. These actions were necessary because continuation of current staffing and programs would have produced a $5.2 million gap between expected revenues and expenditures.

The School Board will adopt the budget later this year.

The 2007-08 budget proposal was created with heavy emphasis on keeping necessary cuts away from schools and classrooms, and instead, reduces positions primarily at the central office and in supporting departments and positions. Because more than 80 percent of the district’s budget is committed to paying for staffing at all levels, trimming the district’s payroll was unavoidable .

Governor Gregoire’s proposed 3.7 percent pay raise for teachers means the district will have to find more than $1 million in its operating budget from local sources to offer the raise to teachers and staff not provided for through the state’s outdated funding model.

The budget also places emphasis on math and reading instruction and ensures that current and future funding is directed toward increasing student achievement. In addition, the budget proposal also replenishes some of the board-required fund balance.

The district is presenting the proposed budget to PTA leaders at the end of April and will offer larger community and staff presentations in mid-May.