Highline Public Schools Superintendent John Welch has recommended $2.5 million in cuts to the upcoming 2010-2011 budget to help make up for a $3.4 million expected shortfall.

If approved by the school board, the cuts would mean the loss of 15 full-time positions.

The district has already cut $8 million from the 2009-2010 budget and $2 million from the previous year's budget.
The latest cuts would include two school psychologists, a deaf and hard of hearing program counselor and an already vacant special education specialist position.

Budget director Susan Smith Leland said elementary school counselors are no longer being considered for cuts.
Other possible cuts off the table include eliminating extended full-day kindergarten and reductions to community use of schools and hours for the Family Center in July.

Welch said much of the success of recent bond and levy measures is tied to the availability of schools for after-hours community use. The board will discuss placing a new capitol bond and levy on the ballot at a June 9 study session.
Also, Welch noted the district has set up a new fee schedule for community events.

Many of Welch's recommended cuts come in support services for classrooms. The programs were funded by state Initiative I-728 funds that have been reduced by the Legislature.
Under Welch's recommendation, $250,000 would be cut in technology services by reducing one position and postponing replacement of new equipment.

Administrators would also take an unpaid furlough day.
Leland said the district has already announced cuts of $750,000, resulting in the elimination of two positions.
Even with the $2.4 million in Welch-recommended cuts and the $750,000 in announced reductions, the district must cut another $188,000 from the upcoming budget, according to Leland.

Sure to be controversial is Welch's indication that he will ask the cities of Burien, Des Moines and SeaTac, as well as King County for more money to support School Resource Officers (SROs) on the four high school campuses.
Reductions or changes to security services could save $75,000-$280,000, Leland reported.
"There are significant savings here but we want to keep our students safe on campus," Welch said.
He indicated the district could rely more on its own security officers.

City police officers, known as SROs, are assigned to the Mt. Rainier, Highline and Tyee campuses. The Tyee officer in SeaTac also covers neighboring Chinook Middle School. A King County sheriff's deputy is assigned to the Evergreen campus in unincorporated North Highline.

A perennial target during school budget discussions, SROs receive vocal support from many parents and city leaders.
Board member Susan Goding noted that Seattle does not assign police officers to its high schools. Goding also commented that compared to other districts, Highline has done a good job of cutting administrative costs while keeping support for classroom learning.

Leland also revealed proposed reductions for the 2011-2012 budget including busing high school and middle school students together. Middle school students would also have to live at least two miles from their school to be bused. Having the students ride the same bus means starting and ending times for schools would need to be changed.

The district also plans to eliminate the Challenge (gifted students) program for first-graders after next year.
The district will hold a public hearing on the 2010-2011 budget on June 23 and the board is expected to adopt it on Aug. 11.