In Alan Spicciati’s final board meeting as interim superintendent, the Highline School Board was presented with a $194 million operating budget for the 2012-2013 school year.
The board is scheduled to approve the budget on July 25. There were no citizen comments on the budget during a public hearing.
Susan Enfield will move south from Seattle to take over as Highline’s superintendent on Monday, July 9. Spicciati will return to his position as chief accountability officer.
Assistant Superintendent Susan Smith Leland said there will be no significant program or staff cuts for the coming year but also no restoration of $18 million in previous cuts.
New positions are still frozen in support services and 1.5 furlough days will still be taken by staff, according to Leland
Expenditures will increase for rising fixed costs such as unfunded salaries and benefits as well as a new teacher evaluation system.
Salaries for certificated staff account for 44 percent of the general fund budget. Combined certified and classified salaries along with benefits make up 83 percent.
Leland noted $144 million of the $194 million operating budget is spent on basic education.
Using money from capital projects fund, the district plans to complete construction of Raisbeck Aviation High School across from Tukwila’s Museum of Flight and do design work on the Puget Sound Skills Center health science building as well as partially fund the implementation of a new student information system.
Leland said a possible 2013 school construction bond is not figured into the projections.
The district projects capital project spending at $47.4 million with projected revenues of $25.6 million. However, with a beginning balance or $41 million, the fund should end the year with a balance of $19 million, Leland noted.
In other business, Spicciati reported that two meetings have been held with Highline High athletic coaches to discuss concerns over Highline’s athletic program and school athletic director Mary Segle. The meetings were set after coaches, parents and students complained to board members about the program at the June 5 board meeting.
Highline Education Association president Stacie Hawkins and Highline Council PTSA president Jill Wunch along with board members also praised Spicciati for his work as interim superintendent. A reception for Spicciati was held before the board meeting.
