Yesterday, BISD shared three scenarios involving school closures/consolidations that are being considered to help close the anticipated $3.5-$4.5 million gap for 2024-25. 

This is a work in progress and no decisions have been made. 
Please review the information below to learn more:

• Letter - November 20, 2023
• Video - November 20, 2023
• Website - www.bisd303.org/budgetchallenges.2024
• Budget FAQs - https://www.bisd303.org/budgetFAQs.2024

Transparency is essential to this process and several opportunities exist for staff, families and the greater community to learn more and provide feedback. 

UPCOMING MEETINGS
School Board Study Session on Monday, November 27th at 5:45 p.m. in the BHS Library, Reading Room (located in the 200 Building on the BHS Campus and is the newer two-story building along High School Road) and over Zoom.

Notes: 

• No decision will be made at this meeting

• Opportunity to learn about the logistics and anticipated cost savings of each scenario.

• The public is welcome to attend and watch in person or via Zoom but it is not a time for public comment or interaction. 

• The meeting will be recorded and posted on our website.

Community Meeting on Tuesday, November 28th at 6:30 p.m. in the BHS Library, Reading Room (located in the 200 Building on the BHS Campus and is the newer two-story building along High School Road)
Notes: 

• Open to all BISD community members, families, students and staff

• Attendees can participate in person or via Zoom.

• The meeting will be recorded and posted on our website. 

Regularly Scheduled School Board Meeting on Thursday, November 30th at 5:45 p.m. in the BISD Board Room
Notes:

• Open to all BISD community members, families, students and staff and can be accessed in-person or via Zoom.
• There will not be a formal presentation regarding the scenarios or budget challenges.
• The meeting will be recorded and posted on our website.  

Community Meeting on Tuesday, December 5th at 5 p.m. in the BHS Library, Reading Room (located in the 200 Building on the BHS Campus and is the newer two-story building along High School Road) 
Notes: 

• Open to all BISD community members, families, students and staff

• Attendees can participate in person or via Zoom.

• The meeting will be recorded and posted on our website. 

Regularly Scheduled School Board Meeting on Thursday, December 14th at 5:45 p.m., In-Person: BISD Board Room, 9530 NE High School Road or via Zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82995122575
Phone Dial-In Access: 1-699-900-6833
Meeting ID: 82995122575

Notes:

• Dr. Peter Bang-Knudsen will bring forward a formal recommendation of two options for the BISD School Board to consider.
• Following Policy 6883, this starts the 90-day period where the board will conduct one or more public hearings to receive testimony on any issues related to the closure of a school. 

SHARE YOUR QUESTIONS & FEEDBACK ON THE SCENARIOS
Budget Questions - Review FAQs here
Feedback on Scenarios

Dear BISD Families 

On November 9th, I provided an update on how we are addressing anticipated budget challenges for 2024-25. I shared that BISD administrators are currently vetting the viability of consolidating/closing schools in order to operate more efficiently. This is a time-intensive process that evaluates:

• Space availability in our schools 
• Cost savings gained by reimaging how our schools are staffed   
• Our ability to run well-resourced schools for our BISD students

We are still in the information-gathering phase and no decisions have been made.  However, I want to share a high-level overview of the scenarios we are evaluating. This video walks you through some FAQS, reviews the various scenarios and provides you with the next steps and important dates. Here are the slides used in the presentation.  

Scenario A
Schools Reimagined: 

• Sakai’s current configuration as a 5th/6th school is disbanded  
  • Neighborhood elementary schools serve kindergarten - 5th grade
  • Woodward Middle School serves 6th-8th grades 
• Ordway students move to the vacated Sakai building and it serves students K-5. This becomes the neighborhood elementary school for the central region of Bainbridge Island. 
• Choice programs (Odyssey K-6, El Velero, Mosaic) are housed at the Sakai building (along with Ordway) and operate as their own cohort for core subjects but access the building for specialists, intervention and special education needs, cafeteria, recess, etc.
• Odyssey 7/8 is relocated to WMS and operates as its own cohort for core subjects but accesses WMS for electives, cafeteria, clubs and sports, etc.  
• Eagle Harbor is relocated to Bainbridge High School and operates as its own cohort for core subjects but accesses BHS for electives, specialty courses, cafeteria, clubs and sports, etc. 
• BISD’s two preschool programs are housed at Blakely Elementary 

Physical Buildings (2) Closed: 

• Ordway 
• Commodore

Scenario B
Schools Reimagined: 

• Blakely and x̌alilic schools serve preK through 3rd grades for all neighborhood schools, including those sections currently housed at Ordway Elementary
• Sakai adds an additional grade level and serves grades 4th, 5th and 6th
• Choice schools (Odyssey K-8, Mosaic, El Velero) are housed together in either the Ordway building or in the Commodore building.
• Eagle Harbor is relocated to Bainbridge High School and operates as its own cohort for core subjects but accesses BHS for electives, specialty courses, cafeteria, clubs and sports, etc. 

Physical Building (1) Closed:

• Either Ordway or Commodore. The building that remains contains the choice schools. 

Scenario C
Schools Reimagined: 

• Sakai remains a 5-6 school and Odyssey K-6 moves into available space at the school. Odyssey K-6 operates as its own cohort for core subjects but access building specialists, intervention staff and special education needs, cafeteria, recess, etc.
• WMS remains a 7-8 school and Odyssey 7-8 moves into available space at the school. Odyssey 7-8  operates as its own cohort for core subjects but accesses WMS for electives, special education needs, cafeteria, clubs and sports, etc. 
• Mosaic would be housed at either Sakai or WMS and would operate as its own cohort but access building spaces for specialists, intervention services and special education services.
• Eagle Harbor is relocated to Bainbridge High School and operates as its own cohort for core subjects but accesses BHS for electives, specialty courses, special education, cafeteria, clubs and sports, etc.
  

Physical Building (1) Closed:

• Commodore 

Over the next couple of weeks, we will continue reviewing the different scenarios and fine-tuning details. A School Board Study Session is scheduled for November 27th at 5:45 p.m. and the scenarios will be reviewed in-depth. No decision will be made at that time, but it will be a good opportunity to learn more about the logistics and the anticipated cost savings of each scenario. The public is welcome to attend and watch in person or via Zoom, but it is not a time for public comment or interaction. (Study Sessions are also recorded and posted to our website.) Following the Study Session, a formal recommendation of two options will be made at the December 14th regularly scheduled School Board Meeting. This will kickstart BISD Policy 6883, which states that there must be a 90-day period where the board will conduct one or more public hearings (dates TBD) to receive testimony on any issues related to the closure of a school. If the board decides to move forward with school closure, a vote would take place on March 14, 2024.

It is important to know that while Scenarios A, B & C provide cost savings, none of the options will save the full $3.5-$4.5 million we anticipate is required. Additional cuts will be needed. To guide this work, we rely on our District Improvement Plan to serve as our Northstar. “What is best for our students?” is the question at the forefront of our minds, and it helps us focus on the priorities that matter most — the ones that help maintain the high caliber of education BISD provides. 

In the meantime, I know you have questions. As a way to manage the volume, we are using this form for you to submit questions, and answers will be provided on our website. You can also provide feedback on the scenarios through this form. Responses will be shared with BISD administrators and school board members. In addition, we are holding an opportunity for in-person discussions on:

• Community Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28th, in the BISD Board Room
• Community Meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5th, in the BISD Board Room

We are also meeting with BISD committees and partner organizations:

• Multicultural Advisory Council - November 28th, 4-5:30 p.m. in the BISD Board Room 
• Special Education Program Council - December 6th, 4-5:30 p.m. in the BISD Board Room
• District Budget Advisory Committee - December 6th, 5:45-7:15 p.m. in the BISD Board Room
• PTOCC - December 7th, 9 a.m. at Blakely Elementary  
• School PTO meetings in December/January  - Times/dates shared at the school level 
• Staff meetings in the next four weeks - Times/dates shared at the school level
• Labor organization leadership meetings - Times/dates shared with labor organizations 

This is a challenging time and the stress and uncertainty weigh on us all. I have watched other school districts experience similar budget challenges and it often leads to rifts in the community. I know this is a natural reaction to an emotionally-charged topic but the end result causes damaged relationships and wounds that are hard to heal. 

Fortunately, Bainbridge Island is a community like no other — I have witnessed firsthand our collective strength when we stand united. This is a time to unite again and showcase what makes this place so special. 

I am thankful for your passion and dedication to BISD. 

In partnership,

Peter Bang-Knudsen 
BISD Superintendent

Dear BISD Community,

In late October, I shared that BISD anticipates needing to reduce expenditures by $3.5-$4.5 million for the 2024-25 school year. 

BISD is in this situation for a number of reasons, which include:

1. Decrease in student enrollment
2. Increase in costs 
3. We no longer have an excess in our fund balance (which is similar to a savings account) 
4. Washington State not fully funding the cost of educating students

We are identifying multiple potential cost-saving measures to close the financial gap, including the option of consolidating/closing schools. As it stands now, we are currently reviewing school building capacity and program needs while evaluating the potential cost savings gained through school consolidation/closures. This is a work in progress, and no decisions have been made. While a bulk of our work is focused on the immediate future, it is essential for us to make strategic, big-picture decisions that will set us up for long-term success and financial stability. 

Transparency is essential to this process. We will provide frequent updates to the community and we will provide opportunities for feedback on the possible budget reduction options. As we navigate challenging choices, we will lean on our District Improvement Plan and Board Policy to guide our efforts. 

Decision-Making Timeline

• From now through December 2023: BISD administrators and the District Budget Advisory Committee will determine viable options to move forward for consideration
• December 2023 - January 2024: Board meeting updates with recommendations; If school consolidation/closure is recommended, state law and board policy outline public hearings must be held prior to board decision
• February - April 2024: Public hearing(s); meetings with labor partners and potentially impacted staff & community; school board decision 

I recognize this is a lot to absorb, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead can be unsettling. A 2024 Budget FAQ document will be placed on our website by November 15th. You are encouraged to submit questions via this form, and as we move forward, we will work to incorporate questions throughout the coming months.

It will take hard work and creative problem-solving to close the budget gap. I am confident we will weather this storm and come out the other side stronger and best equipped to meet the needs of our students.

In partnership, 

Peter Bang-Knudsen
Superintendent  

Dear BISD Community,

At the October 26th school board meeting, I shared an update regarding the 2024-25 school year budget and our anticipated challenges. 

I want to share the outlook with you, and the most efficient way to share the message is through a video. The video provides a brief overview of our budget history, the variables at play when developing our budget and our financial picture for next school year. (Here are the slides from the video for your reference.) 

The video will undoubtedly bring up questions. Since many people will have similar budget-related questions, please submit your questions via this form.  We will use the submitted questions to create an FAQ document and share it with you in the next few weeks. 

In addition, it may be helpful to review previous budget videos as they explain how BISD is funded:

• BISD General Fund
• BISD Capital Fund
  

The intent in sharing this information with you today is to open the dialog transparently and to share with you that I am committed to engaging in conversations, finding creative solutions, and, most of all, maintaining BISD’s high-caliber education. 

In partnership, 

Peter Bang-Knudsen
Superintendent