Comments on: Highline School Board Votes To Adopt “Pay For Play” System http://www.b-townblog.com/2009/07/16/highline-school-board-votes-to-adopt-pay-for-play-system/ Daily Burien News, Events, Entertainment, Music, Videos & More Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:38:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: HHS MOM http://www.b-townblog.com/2009/07/16/highline-school-board-votes-to-adopt-pay-for-play-system/comment-page-1/#comment-16393 HHS MOM Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:09:00 +0000 http://www.b-townblog.com/?p=8563#comment-16393 So with the pay to play, for both sports and bank, kids will no longer be required to purchase A.S.B. cards. Right? So with the pay to play, for both sports and bank, kids will no longer be required to purchase A.S.B. cards. Right?

]]> By: Rob http://www.b-townblog.com/2009/07/16/highline-school-board-votes-to-adopt-pay-for-play-system/comment-page-1/#comment-16336 Rob Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:27:28 +0000 http://www.b-townblog.com/?p=8563#comment-16336 Right on misty- Eyman doesn't goive a sh*t about students or people, This just another move on his part to collect donations instead of getting a job like the rest of america Right on misty- Eyman doesn’t goive a sh*t about students or people, This just another move on his part to collect donations instead of getting a job like the rest of america

]]> By: Mysty Beal http://www.b-townblog.com/2009/07/16/highline-school-board-votes-to-adopt-pay-for-play-system/comment-page-1/#comment-16301 Mysty Beal Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:55:46 +0000 http://www.b-townblog.com/?p=8563#comment-16301 ...and here comes another Eyman initiative to cripple the schools and cities, and a throng of people willing to vote for it to "send a message to Olympia". Here's YOUR message, Eyman voters - when his initiatives pass, you lose your parks, your pools, your police and school sports. Blame Olympia if you want, but government doesn't generate revenue, it collects it to pay for the services we tell them we want. You bet I'm willing to pay for play, and I'm glad the sports programs weren't eliminated outright. Over 500 of us parents participated in this open budget process - if you weren't there, then check the hsd401 website before you start demanding answers. If the Eyman initiative passes, I hope it will prove the impetus for this state to finally institute a fair and equitable state income tax, instead of them trying to tax the poor while giving the wealthy a free ride. …and here comes another Eyman initiative to cripple the schools and cities, and a throng of people willing to vote for it to “send a message to Olympia”. Here’s YOUR message, Eyman voters – when his initiatives pass, you lose your parks, your pools, your police and school sports. Blame Olympia if you want, but government doesn’t generate revenue, it collects it to pay for the services we tell them we want.

You bet I’m willing to pay for play, and I’m glad the sports programs weren’t eliminated outright. Over 500 of us parents participated in this open budget process – if you weren’t there, then check the hsd401 website before you start demanding answers.

If the Eyman initiative passes, I hope it will prove the impetus for this state to finally institute a fair and equitable state income tax, instead of them trying to tax the poor while giving the wealthy a free ride.

]]> By: Larry Snyder http://www.b-townblog.com/2009/07/16/highline-school-board-votes-to-adopt-pay-for-play-system/comment-page-1/#comment-16294 Larry Snyder Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:18:17 +0000 http://www.b-townblog.com/?p=8563#comment-16294 There is no question that many of us had the "luxury" of participating in as many sports and activities as we wanted when attending Pacific and MRHS. Without sports many (this one included) would have had a less than "academic" experience. As of late, we're in a very challenging financial era and those of us who had the opportunity to play for free should perhaps get our checkbooks out and write a $50 check to the Highline Schools Fund for Excellence. This particular situation reminds of a 1970's ad for Midas: "You can pay me now or you can pay me later",. Kids (boys and girls) need sports to get several needs met not the least of which is belonging to something collectively positive and exposure to adult role models. Larry Snyder MSHS 1980 There is no question that many of us had the “luxury” of participating in as many sports and activities as we wanted when attending Pacific and MRHS. Without sports many (this one included) would have had a less than “academic” experience. As of late, we’re in a very challenging financial era and those of us who had the opportunity to play for free should perhaps get our checkbooks out and write a $50 check to the Highline Schools Fund for Excellence. This particular situation reminds of a 1970′s ad for Midas: “You can pay me now or you can pay me later”,. Kids (boys and girls) need sports to get several needs met not the least of which is belonging to something collectively positive and exposure to adult role models.

Larry Snyder
MSHS 1980

]]> By: Highline Public Schools http://www.b-townblog.com/2009/07/16/highline-school-board-votes-to-adopt-pay-for-play-system/comment-page-1/#comment-16291 Highline Public Schools Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:22:16 +0000 http://www.b-townblog.com/?p=8563#comment-16291 Facts about Highline Public Schools’ Budget Shortfall Why does Highline Public Schools have a budget shortfall? Sixty-five to 70% of district revenue comes the state. The state faces a $9 billion shortfall, so cuts to public education funding were inevitable. Total cuts in state funding to Highline for next school year are about $6 million. That means Highline has to trim about $6 million in personnel and programs for the 2009-10 school year. Don't property taxes pay for schools? Some, but not all, of your property taxes go to schools. About 20% of district revenue comes from property taxes through voter-approved school levies. Schools cannot collect more dollars than voters approved. Even though taxes and property values may increase, school district revenue from property taxes does not increase because of the legal limit on school levy collection. Why is the district instituting a fee for athletics? The Highline school board has resisted instituting a fee for athletics for many years while neighboring districts have done so. However, due to major state funding cuts this year, the board determined that the sports fees were necessary in order to avoid deeper cuts in educational programs. The fee is will help cover the rising cost of athletics and enable the district to continue all the athletic programs it currently offers. Without the fee, some sports programs would have to be cut. What cuts in central administration are being made? The following positions are to be eliminated or reduced: -Executive Director of Elementary & Middle Schools 1.0 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) -Director of Recruitment and Retention 1.0 -Principal on Special Assignment 1.0 -Nutrition Services Manager 1.0 -Investigator, Safety and Security 1.0 -Manager, Assessment and Evaluation 1.0 -Coordinator of Budget and Financial Reporting 1.0 -Receptionist 1.0 -Instructional Technology Coordinator 1.0 -Assistant Director of Recruitment and Retention 1.0 -Assistant Director of Communication 0.25 •Hiring for two positions in Teaching and Learning have been postponed. •Cost of living raises have been eliminated for administrator and manager positions. •One day furlough for all administrators, managers, professional-technical and administrative assistant staff •Contingency budget for superintendent and board eliminated •Communication products and publications reduced -Reduce overtime and extra service in Human Resources What cuts in centralized support services are being made? •Eliminate math/literacy coach positions 20.0 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) •Reduce warehouse/nutrition services staff 1.5 •Restructure custodial services 2.0 •Restructure maintenance/grounds services 2.0 •Reduce transportation office staff 0.55 •Reduce security services 0.9 Has the budget shortfall resulted in teacher lay-offs? The district was forced to lay off 63 teachers, but has been able to hire most of them back due to retirements, resignations, and federal stimulus dollars. What other cost-cutting measures have been instituted? The district will implement many cuts and cost-cutting measures district-wide. For details, please go to www.hsd401.org. Facts about Highline Public Schools’ Budget Shortfall

Why does Highline Public Schools have a budget shortfall?
Sixty-five to 70% of district revenue comes the state. The state faces a $9 billion shortfall, so cuts to public education funding were inevitable. Total cuts in state funding to Highline for next school year are about $6 million. That means Highline has to trim about $6 million in personnel and programs for the 2009-10 school year.

Don’t property taxes pay for schools?
Some, but not all, of your property taxes go to schools. About 20% of district revenue comes from property taxes through voter-approved school levies. Schools cannot collect more dollars than voters approved. Even though taxes and property values may increase, school district revenue from property taxes does not increase because of the legal limit on school levy collection.

Why is the district instituting a fee for athletics?
The Highline school board has resisted instituting a fee for athletics for many years while neighboring districts have done so. However, due to major state funding cuts this year, the board determined that the sports fees were necessary in order to avoid deeper cuts in educational programs. The fee is will help cover the rising cost of athletics and enable the district to continue all the athletic programs it currently offers. Without the fee, some sports programs would have to be cut.

What cuts in central administration are being made?
The following positions are to be eliminated or reduced:
-Executive Director of Elementary & Middle Schools 1.0 Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
-Director of Recruitment and Retention 1.0
-Principal on Special Assignment 1.0
-Nutrition Services Manager 1.0
-Investigator, Safety and Security 1.0
-Manager, Assessment and Evaluation 1.0
-Coordinator of Budget and Financial Reporting 1.0
-Receptionist 1.0
-Instructional Technology Coordinator 1.0
-Assistant Director of Recruitment and Retention 1.0
-Assistant Director of Communication 0.25
•Hiring for two positions in Teaching and Learning have been postponed.
•Cost of living raises have been eliminated for administrator and manager positions.
•One day furlough for all administrators, managers, professional-technical and administrative assistant staff
•Contingency budget for superintendent and board eliminated
•Communication products and publications reduced
-Reduce overtime and extra service in Human Resources

What cuts in centralized support services are being made?
•Eliminate math/literacy coach positions 20.0 Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
•Reduce warehouse/nutrition services staff 1.5
•Restructure custodial services 2.0
•Restructure maintenance/grounds services 2.0
•Reduce transportation office staff 0.55
•Reduce security services 0.9

Has the budget shortfall resulted in teacher lay-offs?
The district was forced to lay off 63 teachers, but has been able to hire most of them back due to retirements, resignations, and federal stimulus dollars.

What other cost-cutting measures have been instituted?
The district will implement many cuts and cost-cutting measures district-wide. For details, please go to http://www.hsd401.org.

]]> By: Lora http://www.b-townblog.com/2009/07/16/highline-school-board-votes-to-adopt-pay-for-play-system/comment-page-1/#comment-16289 Lora Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:05:28 +0000 http://www.b-townblog.com/?p=8563#comment-16289 This is not a small nominal fee the district is assessing. I would like to know how much money the district is currently lacking in their funding and exactly how this money will be allocated. Also, even if their is funding to help those without the resources to pay the fee, kids will automatically be dissuaded from joining these sports, or made to feel as though they are getting yet another handout. This is not a small nominal fee the district is assessing. I would like to know how much money the district is currently lacking in their funding and exactly how this money will be allocated. Also, even if their is funding to help those without the resources to pay the fee, kids will automatically be dissuaded from joining these sports, or made to feel as though they are getting yet another handout.

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