Federal Stimulus Dollars Help Shrink Mercer Island School District Budget Deficit UPDATED 5/27/09

May 27, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dr. Gary Plano

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Generous community support through Mercer Island Schools Foundation and PTAs will help “bridge the gap” and further reduce the budget deficit!

Superintendent Gary Plano learned from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) that restrictions in the state's share of some portions of federal stimulus money for 2009-2010 have been lessened following a reexamination of the district's compliance with IDEA. “Following a reassessment of the district's 2008 application for IDEA funds, Mercer Island School District received the highest rating thus allowing the district to use 50% of federal dollars to support the present level of funding and support for our special education students,” said Dr. Plano.

All $841,000 of federal stimulus dollars will be allocated into the 2009-2010 budget thus lowering the projected $2.4 million deficit to approximately $2 million because 50% of the federal money needs to be spent on new special education programs. Special Education Director, Pat Turner, stated, “ We have 27 months to spend the stimulus money. We receive the money in one fiscal year, but have two plus years to spend it.”

The instructional team is looking at the best ways to improve the performance of special education students and is seeking input from staff members, parents and the community. Interested parents and community members may attend a meeting at Lakeridge Elementary on June 10, 2009 at 7PM in the library and provide input.

On-going fund-raising efforts by the Mercer Island Schools Foundation and PTAs have resulted in over $470,000 raised to date. ALL money raised at the breakfast and beyond will be used for mitigating the effects of state-mandated cuts for next year and positioning the District to move toward the 2020 Vision .

Dr. Plano has restored $103,500 to the elementary program. This means he will not open enrollment to 25 new off island students as was originally planned. “Due to the generosity of this community, I no longer feel it is necessary to offer new open enrollment to off-island students in order to provide additional revenue,” said Plano .

The remaining funds ($367,000) and any new money raised will go directly into saving classroom teachers and support staff. Additionally, the School Board voted to adopt a new math program that was recommended by teachers and parents. The new elementary math program is slated for implementation next fall.

Dr. Plano and his team are committed to restoring programs equitably across all three levels as funds are made available. This includes finding resources to fund the new math program and other programs as fund raising efforts permit. The instructional team will consider how to restore budget reductions by early June. Dr. Plano and his team are confident they will present a balanced budget to the School Board this spring.

For information on how you can help, please contact the Mercer Island Schools Foundation or your school PTA.

The superintendent issued this updated Press Release following clarification from his budget team on use of federal stimulus resources.