Preliminary budget plan for CKSD shows continual challenges

Although schools are out for the summer and Tracyton and Seabeck are feeling the aftermath of the district’s continual budget challenges, the board of directors are set to make their final decision of the 2007-08 school year budget on July 25.

With knowledge of what to expect for next year’s rash of setbacks, Central Kitsap School District board members and administrators are educated in the problems they will have to endure while working to balance the district budget by Aug. 8.

“There (has been) hours in meetings that have gone in to producing this budget,” said Paul McNeill, CKSD executive director of business and operations at a regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday night.

During the same meeting, a draft of the 2007-08 preliminary budget was given to board members and administrators, who have become familiar with the material over the past year.

Last year, the snowball of problems that plagued the district’s budget were first introduced, highlighting that with a continual decline in enrollment, and an increase in the budget deficit, something had to be done. To balance the budget, nearly $3.9 million had to be cut.

One of the largest and most difficult cuts was the decision to close Seabeck and Tracyton elementary schools, which had their final day of operation last Friday. The decision will save the school district $1.4 million.

Additional recommended budget adjustments included a $144,000 reduction in the technology budget, $264,000 in the delay of adopting instructional materials and implementing a participation fee for high school and junior high sports equalling $240,000.

The report included the study of music program cuts will continue into next year.

To aid in the continual budget deficit, CKSD Superintendent Greg Lynch suggested a month ago to begin the study of secondary school closure. Katharine Gleysteen, CKSD executive director of secondary teaching and learning, gave an update on the process, which was that a committee has been formed with a collection of members to work with. The study of secondary school closure will include the three junior highs, two high schools and Klahowya Secondary School.

Also discussed at the meeting was security for the Seabeck and Tracyton structures now that school is over, and possible community usage of the gyms and fields, pending the usage does not outweigh costs. Dirk Gleysteen, CKSD director of operations, said the final recommendations for the two buildings will be in Aug.

Lynch also recommended an increase in pool fees to help cover rising costs to the district for maintenance and upkeep.

“We don’t anticipate problems with these increases,” Lynch said. “We need to try and change our pool fees to be more in line with other districts.”

The general admission will go from $2.50 to $3.25. Senior rates will increase from $2 to $2.75, punch cards will be $22.50 for seniors, children and handicapped with general admission punch cards costing $27.50. The three month and family passes will be eliminated with other pass options for individuals and seniors in six month and yearly increments.

The next regularly scheduled school board meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, in the Jenne-Wright Administration Center.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.