Monday, December 7, 2009

School district wants more budget savings

Fill out an online survey with ideas on how Bellingham School District can save more money for the 2010-11 school year. The deadline is noon Friday, Dec. 18. Go to the school district web site, which will give more information about the survey, how the district makes budget reductions, and has a link to the survey itself.


The district is also forming a new District Budget Advisory Committee (DBAC), comprised of representative staff, students, parents and community members. Parents or community members can apply by noon Friday, Dec. 18. For a link to the documents, click here.

According to the district's web site, "This committee will meet beginning in mid-January to work with the input and criteria, and make a recommendation to the Superintendent, who will work with district leaders to draft the Budget Savings Plan. The Superintendent will share the plan publicly for additional input before it is presented to the School Board for action. Actions by the state Legislature will have an impact on the budget process and timeline. "

Bellingham School District update on Lowell reopening, plans for Whatcom Middle School

This Thursday, Dec. 10, the Bellingham School Board will hear a report on the "Management Action Plan for Reopening Lowell Elementary School."

In previous news updates, the district has also said that the status of Whatcom Middle School, which burned in early November, would be discussed before the end of 2009. Officials are awaiting information on how badly damaged the building is, and also discussing the placement of students -- currently at dispersed among four schools. From the district's update page on Whatcom Middle School, "Q: When will a decision be made about whether Whatcom Middle School students and staff will stay at their current relocation sites for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year?
A. Superintendent Sherrie Brown will make a decision based upon input from a variety of stakeholder representatives and communicate that decision before winter break."
Go to the Whatcom update page by clicking here.

In addition to regular agenda items, will administer the oath of office to newly elected school board members, Steven Smith and Scott Stockburger, and reorganize and elect new board officers.

The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Roeder Adminstration Building, 1306 Dupont St.