The Highline School District is dealing with a $3.5 million shortfall in its upcoming budget.

The district had notified staff earlier that 25 nonsupervisory positions among certified (teaching) staff may be eliminated.

In addition, positions for a high school principal and assistant principal will be eliminated.

The position of transition principal at Evergreen High in North Highline was designed as a one-year assignment to help in the change to three small learning communities on the Evergreen campus.

Other cuts in principal and assistant principal positions may also be made.

"Every effort is being made to minimize cuts that directly impact student services and classroom teachers," district spokeswoman Catherine Carbone Rogers said. "No additional cuts to teaching staff are anticipated.

"However, two administrators and up to eight classified positions will be eliminated."

Rogers noted the shortfall is partly caused by an increase in fixed costs such as fuel, food and insurance.

She added, "Secondly the legislature granted a well-deserved increase in staff salaries and benefits. The unintended consequence is that school districts across the state face shortfalls.

"That's because the state funds only a portion of our staff; the raise only goes to positions funded by the state. The district must find the dollars to give raises to staff funded through local levy dollars."

Referring to the proposed cuts, Superintendent John Welch said at the May 14 board meeting, "This is not anything I take lightly. The challenge is real. The reality is that we are facing cuts in the future."

Teachers' union head Stacey Hawkins claimed the crux of the problem is that the state is not fully funding education.

"In this time of difficult decisions, we look forward to working with the school board," Hawkins, Highline Education Association president, said.

Welch and board members heard a barrage of speakers on May 14 pleading for the retention of full-time elementary school counselors and high school social workers.

Welch responded that the district will know at the end of June whether a federal grant will fund some counseling positions.

"At this point, we are where we are," Welch added.

Several teachers, parents and students from Des Moines Elementary School heavily supported counselor Rachel Strauss and asked that her position not be reduced to half time.

Strauss is the "biggest resource at school," fourth-grade teacher Rosemary Sargent declared. "It is imperative she be retained."

Parent Judy Grande said teachers are stretched thin at the school so Strauss performs many vital functions.

Grande suggested that, in addition to "No Child Left Behind," the district should also adopt the motto, "No Student Staff Member overloaded."

Making the counseling position half time "would cut us off at the knees," fourth-grade teacher Kathleen Howe added.

Des Moines Elementary psychologist Marci Anderson Youngstrom questioned how the district could begin a math initiative calling for higher academic achievement while cutting social support services to students.

Kelly Fuller, Des Moines Elementary office assistant, noted the school has had three principals in the last five years.

"It is imperative that we have some continuity," Fuller said. "We are serving kids with greater needs."

Scott Leppert testified that there should be more school social workers instead of less.

Cascade Middle School Teacher Scott Londino said more students will become gang members if the social worker program is cut back.

The board will receive budget updates on May 28 and June 11.

A community informational meeting will be held June 18 at 6:30 p.m. at district headquarters. On June 25 at district headquarters, there will be a public hearing on proposed budget reductions.

The board expected to approve the budget on Aug. 13.