On Friday, April 21, Bellingham Public Schools announced approximately $16 million worth of budget cuts impacting all areas of the school district.
The loss of revenue comes with the end of federal COVID-19 pandemic funding and an increase in costs for resources and compensation, Superintendent Greg Baker said in a message to the community. For the 2022–23 school year, the school district budgeted more than $219 million in expenditures to operate the district.
Baker acknowledged that while a budget focuses on the numbers, it’s people who are impacted.
“These proposed budget cuts will deeply affect the lives of some of our staff and our students,” he said. “We do not take this budget work lightly.”
The district has looked at many areas to reduce costs while working to minimize the impact on students. Over the year, the district has worked to not refill positions left vacant (attrition), which has reduced district office staff. Additionally, the district reduced positions in warehouse, electrician, maintenance, custodial, carpenter and facility rental, and will cut funding for supplies, materials and staff development travel.
Besides cutting costs, the district has reduced classroom teachers and increased class sizes for fourth- and fifth-grade students. Middle school and high school classes also will increase in size. Specialist positions have also been reduced in elementary schools, and in high schools, specialists might have additional responsibilities, like teaching courses. Staffing ratios all around will be reduced.
To increase revenue, the district will increase fees and look for more grant opportunities. Field trips will be reduced; technology capital levy funding will be reallocated where possible; and child care fees will be raised.
Several dozen Sehome High School students participated in a protest on April 20 and walked out Friday morning in a rally to protect the performing arts and in support of staff, fearing the impacts budget cuts would have on their programs and educational experiences.
“Losing pieces of these programs is harming people not only in our student body but everywhere,” junior Haven Alex said in a speech to other students that she shared with Cascadia Daily News. “As a lesbian multiracial woman, I can testify how important these staff members are and these programs. When I felt insecure and isolated in my identity, these were the spaces and people who showed me I am not alone and deserve my place here.”
The district said performing arts programs like choir, orchestra, band and drama would stay intact for students to participate.
Students also voiced their frustrations with bigger class sizes, and the impacts that might have on students, especially those with individualized education programs (IEPs).
The district said it will make more refined decisions in the coming months.
“These reductions bring us back closer in many ways to staffing levels from my first few years as superintendent,” Baker said. “It is so difficult to cut key positions we worked hard to add.”
The Washington Legislature will make its final budget decisions by Sunday, April 23.
This story will be updated with more information about the budget cuts.
