Next Year's Budget

This is the time of year all schools are required to balance their budget for the next school year. That is normally a difficult time for Southwest staff, students and families. The district budget is based on a per student formula. As you know the district (because of state funding issues) is having budgetary problems.

In addition to the basic formula SW does receive transition money which attempts to "adjust" the budget of some schools that do not receive significant grant monies (Title 1, etc.).

For next year, the SW budget was reduce almost 1 million dollars. In turn, almost one million dollars was reduced from next year expenditures (staff). Part of the reduction in revenue and expenditure is due to the projected reduction of the number of students at SW, Last year the funded number was 1750 and this coming year the number is 1690. The majority of the reduction is due to the smaller incoming 9th grade.

Although the dollar numbers seem quite large, this is not a panic mode. We made some serious reduction in the way we do some things and modified some programs. We are striving to keep the incoming 9th grade classes a bit smaller and still find some ways to meet the needs of all students.

I am excited about next year. Yes, we need to continue our development efforts to bring in additional dollars through community support. Our goals will continue to be providing quality education for all children, providing opportunities for growth and academic achievement and to meet the needs of all our learners. I am confident that can be accomplished this coming year.

In a perfect world all the money needed would be provided to all schools. At the moment I think all of us agree that we don't live in the perfect world. In spite of it all, I believe SW provides excellent educational opportunities and the value added by that SW experience contributes to inspire our students to be productive and have meaningful lives.

Yes, you need to be concerned about public school funding. No, you do not need to be concerned about your child receiving an outstanding education at Southwest.