The San Juan School District will present long-range financial planning and implication for instructional programs Nov. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in the Friday Harbor Middle School Commons.

The meeting is open to the public. Planning for legislative advocacy to compel the Legislature to fully fund basic education will also be presented.

Superintendent Michael Soltman will present information from the district’s Financial Task Force to include enrollment projections and assumptions about declining revenue. The task force is currently projecting a funding shortfall in the range of $717,000, which according to the district will increase in future years due to declining enrollment.

Prior to budget planning next spring, the task force is charged with creating instructional program restructuring scenarios with future budget capacity.

Education advocate Byron Shutz Jr. and Friday Harbor High School PTA President Deborah Nolan will present planning for legislative advocacy to compel the Legislature to fully fund basic education. Information about effective lobbying and events planned during the legislative session commencing in January will be provided.

Shutz is editor of the Web site, www.fundingwaschools.org. Visit the Web site to learn more about school funding issues.

Information regarding the district’s lawsuit to compel the state to fulfill its “paramount duty” to provide adequate funding for basic education will be presented.

“We encourage parents, community members and students to attend this forum,” Soltman said in a press release. “The quality of our schools depends upon our commitment to restructure programs and obtain sufficient funding to sustain excellence.”