San Juan Island School Superintendent asks for support for HB 1244
League of Women Voters San Juan Corps* - At the San Juan Island School Board meeting on January 25, 2023, Superintendent Fred Woods presented certificates to all board members celebrating January as official School Board Appreciation month. ASB President Ayana Beruby presented a gift from the students to the school board thanking them for all their hard work.
Fred Woods described recent progress in legislative action to address the problems created by regionalization, levy caps, and underfunding of special education mandates where SJI has a $500,000 shortfall that is made up from basic education funds. Focus on teacher recruitment and retention is an important piece of this effort at the state level. Fred asked for support of HB1244 which would allow our district and others to gradually raise the level of voter approved funding. The first reading of this bill in the house appropriation committee was January 25 and a second reading will be February 2. For more information on and what you can do to support our schools, go to www.supportislandschools.org.
A new trail will be built at Linde field. They are going out for bid on STEM building improvements. They are considering using an outside firm to evaluate school building energy efficiency.
The District is coordinating with other island school districts on professional education for teachers. HR is reviewing current policies regarding sexual harassment and the reporting process.
Student enrollment should hold steady through the second half of the school year at 778 students. The budget process for the next school year is now beginning. The school nurse made a presented a request to acquire Narcan in the event of a drug overdose. This request was approved.
*The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.