Message to the Community from the Reynolds School Board

Last spring the Reynolds Tomorrow program helped the Reynolds School Board connect the district’s 2011/12 budget to our community’s values and priorities while allowing us to look ahead 3-5 years. We are proud of this effort but we know no amount of transparency or careful planning can change economic realities.

The Reynolds School District will receive just under $88 million in general fund revenue from the state this year. We plan to spend just over $93 million. The approximately $5 million shortfall will be taken from our shrinking reserves (the End Fund Balance). This means we are spending down our savings account.

It is likely the district’s share of general fund resources will continue to shrink while costs rise. Our plan is to use district reserves responsibly to fund our most important student learning programs as long as possible while we wait for the economy to recover. After that, the Board will be forced to make significant new cuts to student learning programs and services. A shorter school year, reductions in educational programs, building closures and the elimination of teaching staff positions will all be on the table, any of which would have a detrimental impact on both students and the community. The Board believes the wisest policy is to delay these painful choices by carefully managing our district’s financial reserves.

The Reynolds Education Association has proposed new expenditures of more than $10 million over the next two years. The REA’s proposal includes pay raises of 3.8% for 2011-2012 and 4% for 2012-2013, on top of step and column pay increases. They have also asked the district to increase its contribution for employees’ health care from $900 to $1200 per month. The Board hopes to stretch our reserves to last through the 2013-2014 school year. REA’s proposal would deplete our reserves two years sooner.

The Reynolds School Board is firmly committed to our responsibilities to the community and our students. Fiscal responsibility allows us to maintain our programs and services to students, full school years and school days, and to protect teaching staff positions. This requires difficult decisions and careful planning for the future. We sincerely hope that our community and staff understand this commitment and will partner with the district in these difficult times.