Sequim: School Board making tough decisions on budget cuts for next year

SEQUIM — More than two hours into a meeting Monday night in which $1.2 million in budget cuts were to be finalized, Sequim School District board members still had not agreed on where to slash programs for 2004-2005.

The complex process involved poring over an exhaustive list of budgeted expenditures ranging from academic programs to building upkeep and maintenance of technological systems.

Board members held three public comment sessions to solicit input that would guide them in making their decisions.

They were then expected to submit to Schools Superintendent Garn Christensen their preferences on which programs should stay and which would have to go.

The cuts result from the recent failure of a two-year, $5.44 replacement maintenance and operations levy election.

The district will give the levy request another try in a special, all-mail election ending May 18.

But terms with certificated staff require that notice be given by May 15 to employees whose contracts will not be renewed for the following school year.

If the May levy passes, some programs slashed as a result of Monday’s meeting could be restored, Christensen said.

A complete report on decisions made after press time Monday will appear in Wednesday’s edition.

More in News

Alex Toombs of Port Townsend was among the first visitors to the Welcome Center at the Northwest Maritime Center on Thursday.  Diane Urbani de la Paz/For Peninsula Daily News
Maritime themes highlight new space at campus

Former PT retail space now welcoming center for visitors

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Betsy Reed Schultz
Six to be honored with Community Service awards

Free event Thursday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Angeles

Primary races top ballot in August

Congress, state Senate seat will be contested

Port Angles road work set for next week

Work crews from the city of Port Angeles will… Continue reading

Volunteer Al Oman, right, guides an auger operated by Steve Fink during site preparation for rebuilding the Dream Playground on Wednesday at Erickson Playfield in Port Angeles. A community rebuild is scheduled for May 15-19 to replace portions of the popular playground that were destroyed in an arson fire on Dec. 20. Volunteer signups are available at https://www.padreamplayground.org. The nonprofit Dream Playground Foundation, which organized and orchestrated previous versions of the playground, is also seeking loaner tools with more information available at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DA4AC23A5F85-48241857-dream#/. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Site preparation for playground

Volunteer Al Oman, right, guides an auger operated by Steve Fink during… Continue reading

Hood Canal bridge closures begin Monday

Roundabout work also starts next week

Some water system users face steep price hikes

County commissioners’ letter asks rates to be examined

Reforms making a difference at Fort Worden, PDA director says

Organization moving toward stability; challenges remain

Port Townsend woman in serious condition after wreck

A Port Townsend woman was in serious condition following… Continue reading

Federal law limits marine traffic openings at bridge

The state Department of Transportation reminds mariners that, while its… Continue reading

A new mural at Sequim High School honors 2020 graduate Alissa Lofstrom, who started the mural in 2019 but had to stop due to COVID-19 shutdowns. She died in 2021, but past and current students finished her mural for the Interact Club. (Chelsea Reichner)
Teens put finishing touches on mural to honor student

Teachers, students remember Lofstrom as welcoming, talented, artistic