Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published April 18, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified April 18, 2007 at 2:02 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Edmonds may cut 50 teaching jobs

The Edmonds School District may have to cut 50 teaching positions and raise class sizes to help make up a $6 million budget shortfall in...

Times Snohomish County Bureau

The Edmonds School District may have to cut 50 teaching positions and raise class sizes to help make up a $6 million budget shortfall in the 2007-08 school year.

The district said it will also have to make "significant" reductions in administration and support staff but won't know the exact numbers until the Legislature finalizes its budget in the coming days.

"The cuts won't just come in the classroom. They'll be felt all around," said Edmonds budget and finance manager Bill McKeighen.

A number of other districts in the Puget Sound region are also facing budget shortfalls as declining enrollments mean less state funding at the same time the costs of salaries and benefits, transportation and utilities continue to rise.

Budget proposals in both the state House and Senate increase core funding for education but don't cover the past decade of rising costs, education advocates say.

"A huge number of very well-run, well-managed districts are bleeding," said Lisa Macfarlane, president of the League of Education Voters.

Compounding the problem this year, Macfarlane said, is the state's plan to give teachers a cost-of-living increase. With increasing numbers of teachers supported by local levy dollars, not state funding, the school districts must pay those teachers' raises out of their own funds.

The Northshore School District is facing a $4 million shortfall and anticipates cutting an additional $4 million the following year, said spokeswoman Susan Stoltzfus. She said the district has targeted 10 teachers, six classified staff and 20 part-time elementary library secretaries for elimination to balance next year's budget.

The Renton School District must make up a $5 million gap between revenue and expenses next year. District spokesman Randy Matheson said 13 positions will be cut from administration and support staff, but no teachers will lose their jobs.

Federal Way is facing a $2 million shortfall but hasn't determined yet where the cuts will come from, said spokeswoman Diane Turner.

Edmonds, the state's 12th-largest school district, hopes to reduce its work force through attrition rather than layoffs. Typically, the district hires about 100 teachers each year to replace those who have retired or resigned. State law requires districts to notify teachers by May 15 if their contracts might not be renewed.

In addition to the projected layoffs, the district will increase class sizes by one student throughout its schools.

advertising

Teachers-union officials say more-crowded classrooms will hurt academic achievement.

"With the demands on students to meet standards, it's not the time to go backward on class size," said Dave Wood, a representative for the Washington Education Association based in the Edmonds School District.

Enrollment in the Edmonds School District has declined almost 6 percent in six years, falling from 21,877 in 2000 to 20,609 in October. The district projects an additional 1 percent decline next year.

Lynn Thompson: 425-745-7807

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan

Flood fears dampen business, home sales

Nicole Brodeur: Homeless woman bent on giving

Chuckanut Drive to be closed up to a week

Everett Symphony may cancel rest of season after holiday shows

Advertising

Video

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle

Marketplace

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

nwautos

Less is more: Group rides, good gas mileage have led to a scooter swarm in Seattlenew
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising