The Kent School District has a budget to pare down next year – by millions of dollars, thanks to a lack of state funding, among the reasons.

With those decisions to be made, School Board President Debbie Straus and Superintendent Edward Lee Vargas have extended an invitation to the district community to share their input for reducing district dollars for the 2010-2011 school year.

“Over the past several years, school districts across the state and our nation, including Kent School District, have experienced budget challenges,” a letter from the two of them, which is going out with district students this week, reads. “Many of our parents and community members are aware that these budget challenges are not new—for years the district has made annual reductions to remain financially sound and responsible. Your input regarding priorities for taxpayer dollars is crucial as the school board works to determine the 2010-2011 budget for our school district.”

The Kent School District will need to reduce the 2010-2011 budget by a range of $6 to $10 million, with a worst-case scenario of up to $12 million. The level of reduction depends upon three factors:

1. Current year operating costs and the general fund balance at the end of this school year.

2. Anticipated state Legislature decisions that will result in losses of state funding for the next school year.

3. Anticipated costs for next year and the gap between those costs and available funding.

As part of this process of balancing the budget, the Kent School Board is requesting public feedback in prioritizing a list of potential budget cuts for the 2010-11 school year.

The district’s spokesperson, Becky Hanks, commented, “The KSD Board of Directors is committed to receiving parent, student, staff, and community members’ input.”

That’s why the board is not only asking that our stakeholders share their input by submitting an online or paper survey but also holding a community budget session and public hearing.”

All input will be considered as the board determines reductions for next school year.”

Make Your Point

The public is invited to participate in Kent School District budget priorities in one of three ways:

1. Online Survey: The KSD website, www.kentschooldistrict.org features a link to 2010-2011 Budget – Community Input Survey. The site also provides a PowerPoint presentation and other detailed information. The deadline to comment is April 12.

2. Paper Survey: Visit your school office to complete and submit a paper survey by the April 12 deadline.

3. Community Budget Session and Public Hearing: Attend the Community Budget Session on April 12 and complete a paper or an online survey (laptops will be available for your use). The Community Budget Session will run 6-9 p.m. in the Kentwood Gymnasium, 25800 164th Avenue S.E., Covington. The session will begin with a presentation and will follow with time for public comment. In consideration of time and the number of people wishing to share, comments will be limited to two minutes.

After the April 12 meeting, all survey feedback will be tallied and presented to the board for their consideration. Results also will be displayed on the district Web site by April 15.