FAQs
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BISD is collecting budget-related questions via this form. Answers to the questions will be added to the sections below.
Enrollment
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Is there any possibility of accessing subsidies for new families with children in order to encourage them to move to Bainbridge and reduce their financial burden when buying real estate on the island?
The BISD could not subsidize families moving to Bainbridge.
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Has BISD considered increasing enrollment from students who live off-island?
Yes, and we always look closely at balancing off-island enrollment with the need for additional staffing. We are grateful for our off-island families and want to be able to continue to offer spots for their children and, when possible, to continue to offer access to BISD schools for additional families not living on Bainbridge Island.
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If you’ve known about declining enrollment and budget deficits for the past 18 years, why are you just now addressing the issue?
BISD conducted multiple processes over the past 18 years to address the issue of declining enrollment and projected impacts on budget deficits.
In addition, the District Budget Advisory Committee (DBAC) has engaged annually with the long-term challenge.
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What are the reasons why students leave BISD?
When a student is withdrawn, office staff enter the reason why the student has left (such as moving out of state, attending a private school, etc.) For the 2022-23 school year, the top three reasons students left were as follows: Moved out of the area (35%), Attending a private school (16%), Attending a local (Kitsap) public school (11%).
In addition, BISD sends exit surveys to families who withdraw their students to receive feedback. -
Why the drop in enrollment?
The drop in enrollment has been a steady trickle over almost 20 years. The graph on this website illustrates the downward trend.
A demographer is providing an update report in December and we will learn more then. However, we hypothesize that multiple factors are at play, including the high cost of housing on Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge’s aging demographic and the lower birthrate for our region.
Program & Infrastructure
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Option B eliminates a centralized elementary school walkable to the downtown core. What does transportation look like in this scenario and as our community grows?
We would use BISD busses to move K-3 students to the North and South end schools. Yes, looking at the future growth of the Winslow area is one of the many factors that will need to be considered.
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Will participants of option schools like Odyssey have access to bussing to their new school locations?
Currently, students enrolled in Odyssey K-6 and El Velero are able to access bus service if they live in areas served by Ordway buses. Those currently outside that region (such as students who live far north or south) do not have access to transportation and are brought to/from school by parents or carpools.
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Have bus ridership levels remained static over the years or are less students using bus transportation each year and is there a breakdown based on school locations?
Bus ridership has remained relatively static at approximately 30% of the total enrollment for the last (6) school years with exceptions related to the pandemic, specifically in school years 2020/2021 & 2021/2022. An accurate breakdown by school location is difficult to produce as ridership is calculated based on AM/PM routes which differ based on several factors. However, approximately 40%-50% of elementary students ride on any given day and that percentage is reduced as you progress upwards through the grade bands.
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What would be the longest time duration of a bus ride for elementary school students if relocated from Ordway to either x̌alilc or Blakely?
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BISD Board Policy dictates that all bus routing shall attempt to limit ride duration to 60 minutes or less one way. There are instances in which the duration of a one-way trip is extended due to unforeseen circumstances and or complications with access to various areas on the island. The Transportation Department has identified preliminary routes that would allow the district to maintain this commitment.
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I know that you are focused on economies of scale, and that makes sense to a point. However, how do you balance that with providing programs for kids who do not do well in larger environments?
We recognize that some students and families prefer options to a traditional neighborhood school. That said, we still need to ensure that our buildings are safe and fiscally sustainable. If Odyssey programs are moved to a different building, we would work to support those students in their new environment and help them adjust to feel safe and included in the new school. Many of those details will be developed in the upcoming months. We believe that Odyssey will continue to thrive as a program, regardless of location.
Revenue-Generating Ideas
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The laws that limit the amount we can levy no longer meet the needs of our community. What can we do to change that law?
The legislature intended to create a more equitable levy lid across the state. However, the results have negatively impacted districts like BISD.
Each year, BISD leaders attend a special day in Olympia where we meet with lawmakers and share specifics to our district and what we would like to see changed.
Citizens are encouraged to reach out to elected officials at the state level and share their opinions.
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I understand that some of the budgetary shortfall is due to a failure of the State to meet its obligations. What is the sources of those State obligations (statutes, McCleary decision, something else?) and how has the State failed to meet them?
State education funding is complex. Article IX of the Washington State Constitution states: “It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.” The McCleary Decision ordered the State to fully fund basic education. Despite the increase in funding from the McCleary decision, the legislature still does not fully fund things like special education, transportation, counseling, nursing, and other student supports.
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Legislators could more fully fund areas such as special education, transportation, and other student supports.
Legislators could more fully fund areas such as special education, transportation, and other student supports.
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Can you sell BISD-owned land/property to help close the budget gap?
Revenues from the sale of land or property must be deposited into BISD's Capital Fund and the budget challenges are in regards to BISD's General Fund. Learn about the Capital Fund here.
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Why is the conversation so focused on closing/consolidating facilities when cutting staffing is what will really needs to be done?
Right-sizing the number of buildings to the number of our students helps reduce overhead costs and preserve essential programs and supports for students.
Special Education
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Will budget cuts impact early screening for Dyslexia? If so, how?
No. Early Screening and Intervention for Dyslexia in K-2 is a state law, and the district is committed to a Multitiered System of Support (MTSS) model that will continue to screen and intervene with students who demonstrate difficulties in reading skills.
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Does the BISD have a legal obligation to serve all students with disabilities, regardless of the cost of services and regardless of budget cuts?
Yes- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free and appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities and ensures special education and related services to those children as determined by their Special Education evaluation and IEP.
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Will Learning Strategies and other special education programs change?
BISD’s Special Education Directors and Leadership Team continue to assess program models in our district based on student needs, defining intentional paraeducator support, increasing student independence, BISD’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support work, and an overall goal of more inclusive practices. Program models are subject to change through this process. Our Contracted Bargaining Agreement drives Special Education caseload numbers within each model, which defines the case manager's capacity to serve students and/or be shared between programs.
Staffing & Staff Support
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Were the COVID consultants let go to save on costs?
BISD received state and federal funding during the pandemic for COIVD support and as the pandemic transitioned to an endemic, the funding was discontinued.
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There is a clear deadline for certificated staff to receive RIF notices, what about classified staff? Same deadline?
A reduction in force (RIF) for staff represented by the Bainbridge Island Education Support Professionals Association (BIESPA) would be made no later than July 30th as outlined in the BIESPA collective bargaining agreement.
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Will teacher staffing decisions be made on seniority or merit?
The staffing decisions for our certificated employees will be made in accordance with our collective bargaining agreement and in discussion with the Bainbridge Island Education Association.
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If you've known about declining enrollment and the budget deficit, why did staff receive raises?
BISD is committed to recruiting and retaining high-quality staff in all positions. In order to do so, we have focused on maintaining comparable salaries and wages to neighboring school districts in Kitsap County.
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When will staff know if cuts are being made to certificated teaching positions?
BISD will work with labor partners on a timeline for reductions in positions, if applicable. By state statute (RCW 28A.310.250), all layoff notices for certificated staff must be made on or before May 15, 2024.
Miscellaneous
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How did construction spending on major projects, including BHS, Blakely and x̌alilc, affect the current situation? How much of the general fund was used to covert cost overruns?
Construction projects are funded using dollars originating from capital bonds and levies. The general fund has not been used to cover, subsidize, or support the costs of any major or minor construction projects since 2006 and potentially many years prior.
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Are extracurricular or sports up for cuts?
Potentially, many programs and extracurricular activities could be affected by budget reductions. This will be an item that will be vetted further through the District Budget Advisory process.
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What happened to the $1 million per school in Covid emergency funds?
BISD did not receive $1M per school. We received a small allocation of COVID funds as compared to other school districts because funding was allocated by districts̓ number of free and reduced lunch students, and we have a low number of students who qualify. All COVID funds received were spent on COVID response and recovery activities and services.
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Why isn't the District engaging parents, teachers, and students in a more participatory decision-making process to decide school closures?
On November 20, 2023, we announced the school closure/consolidation scenarios that are under consideration. There are many opportunities for input including:
Community Meetings
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Tuesday, November 28th at 6:30 p.m. location TBD
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Tuesday, December 5th at 5 p.m. location TBD
BISD Committees & Partner Organizations
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Multicultural Advisory Council - November 28th, 4-5:30 p.m. in the BISD Board Room
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Special Education Program Council - December 6th, 4-5:30 p.m. in the BISD Board Room
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District Budget Advisory Committee - December 6th, 5:45-7:15 p.m. in the BISD Board Room
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PTOCC - December 7th, 9 a.m. at Blakely Elementary
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School PTO meetings in December/January - Times/dates shared at the school level
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Staff meetings in the next four weeks - Times/dates shared at the school level
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Labor organization leadership meetings - Times/dates shared with labor organizations
Provide Feedback Electronically
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Who sits on the District Budget Advisory Committee?
DBAC is comprised of community members, parents and staff to include representation of the following groups and organizations:
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Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO)
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Bainbridge Schools Foundation (BSF)
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Bainbridge Island Education Association (BIEA)
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Bainbridge Island Educational Support Professionals Association (BIESPA)
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District and building administrators
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Certificated and classified staff
This is the list of current members.
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