The Water Matters was the motto of the “Support Our Island Schools” campaign launched last year by county school districts to gain attention from Washington legislatures’. The motto points to the fact all islanders know – being surrounded by water raises the cost of living.

“We are fortunate we are not in the same place as other school districts, but recruitment and retention of quality staff is critical,” San Juan Island School District Superintendent Fred Woods said, and regionalization must be adjusted to sufficiently accomplish recruitment and retention.

Regionalization is supposed to be based on the property values of an area. Despite the fact local real estate prices are equivalent to Seattle, the state lumped the county in with Skagit, meaning island schools are not receiving what they should be for cost of living.

The superintendents traveled to Olympia to make their case. Woods stated that 40th District Reps Debrah Lekanof and Alex Ramel, and Sen. Liz Lovelett have worked hard on their behalf, however, the San Juan County Schools’ regionalization percentage remains the same.

Senate Bill 311 did pass. SB311 increases special education funding by three percent for the 23-24 school year. While minimal, that increase is needed to close the gap between the cost of what the school is mandated to fund for special education, and what the state actually pays for. Prior to the Special Education increase, Woods explained that approximately $700,000 was needed from the general fund to make up that gap.

“I don’t think [the state mandates] are wrong,” Woods clarified. “[Special Education] is important for the kids.”

The SJI School District will need to cut back .6 of a position. Fortunately, that position was a temporary one. The SJISD will need to reduce costs over the next few years, Woods said. However, next year as long as enrollment remains the same, the 23-24 school year will remain on par as this year. Enrollment for the kindergarten class of 23 remains below estimations, Woods said, adding that there does tend to be last-minute students.

According to a letter Orcas Island Superintendent Eric Webb wrote to parents and the public April 28, the Orcas school district has been planning for budgetary challenges for several years and there will be no reduction in staff.

“This is indeed something to celebrate!” he wrote. “The reality is that we have maneuvered around, but not eliminated, the fiscal cliff that is facing Orcas Island district and other school districts.”

Woods expressed gratitude to Island Rec who has for years, helped fund the Atheltic Department, and to the San Juan Island Schools Foundation. The foundation contributed $70,000 this year toward an array of teachers’ requests, according to Katie Fleming, foundation board member. The foundation is a non-profit funded by donations that has funded teachers’ requests for everything from equipment to field trips.

“The San Juan Islands Public Schools Foundation helps fill budgetary gaps and support academic needs that would not be funded otherwise,” Fleming explained.

According to Ed Murphy, Lopez School District Superintendent, the situation on Lopez is more critical and they have budgeted for a small reduction in enrollment.

“Our situation on Lopez Island is challenging and we need to find ways to serve students and staff more efficiently with fewer resources,” Murphy said. “We are dedicated to ensuring our students continue to have a rich and rigorous curriculum with extracurricular opportunities of interest to students. We also want our staff to feel valued and have an exceptional work environment.”

Despite having no action this legislative session, The Support Our Island Schools campaign is not giving up.

“Legislative change is a long-term process. We intend to continue to work with other school districts that have similar concerns; San Juan, Orcas, Shaw, and others, while coordinating our efforts with other agencies such as the County Council,” Murphy said.

On Aug. 11 at 10:30 a.m., educational leaders will meet in Anacortes to discuss and review the legislative solutions to the challenges facing San Juan County School Districts, and the next steps forward, according to an invitation to attend sent to parents from Webb. For more information contact Webb at ewebb@orcas.k12wa.us, or Orcas School Board Legislative Re. Bridget Broderick at bbroderick@orcas.k12.wa.us.

“The Boards and superintendents will meet with area reps in August, and we will try to work on a plan that assures our voices are heard in Olympia,” Woods said, adding “The allocation model for a high cost of living is what needs to be changed.”

“We have to live within our means and to do so as a group effort may require some sacrifice on multiple fronts,” Murphy stated. “ As we move forward we need to document those sacrifices and identify the people; students, staff and community impacted by the legislature’s failure to meet its obligation to fully fund public education. Those are stories we need to share.”