Three opportunities in District 181

When the legislature left their work unfinished in the last session, they left schools, county programs, and cities all in a very difficult spot to anticipate funding and create balanced budgets without demolishing existing programs. A 2% increase in state funding doesn't cover the 9% increase we are seeing in existing expenses.

Compensatory funding: when families fill out forms to receive free and reduced lunches, the number of those eligible is used to calculate compensatory funding. When lunches became free due to federal funding during COVID, there was little incentive for families to fill out the forms and our compensatory funding took a major hit.

Special Education funding: more than 20% of our student population qualifies for some sort of special education services, above the state average. The formula for reimbursing the actual cost of the service now covers about 55% of the actual cost to deliver it.

Levies and referenda: our district is one of the few in the state trying to manage financially without an operating levy. The community is proud of our schools and should have the opportunity to invest through levies, but it should not mean the difference between a quality education and a substandard one.

Our education mandate as a district is to ensure all students achieve their individual potential. Modern education has identified this looks different for each student. Recognizing and celebrating differences has been a hallmark of our country for generations.

When students come to school, before they can open their mind to learning, they must feel safe. They must feel they have a place to belong. The equity task force is leading efforts to create a framework, set priorities based on the student experience, and keep the community involved in the conversation.

We all want transparent, timely communication, in the channel that fits our personality and lifestyle, and in the bite-size pieces that fit the time we have. In a time when information on social media is immediate, older communication systems can't keep up.

The school district recognizes the need for a more concerted communication plan. I am eager to support and supply input as we hear feedback from families.