Superintendent's Remarks
Board Meeting, August 14, 2012
During the public hearing on the 2012-13 budget, Dr. Steve Webb addressed the Board (VPS). "Given your direction this past spring, we’re pleased to present this budget to you this evening.
"I’d like to remind us all that for the first time in a decade, elected leaders did not hand VPS a budget shortfall to manage. After a decade of cuts exceeding $40 million, today’s budget presentation is a refreshing change. Nevertheless, as the State Supreme Court upheld in the recent McCleary ruling, WA state continues to underfund its public schools.
"This past spring, we did not talk about which valued programs and services we might need to reduce. Instead, our conversations focused on how to continue advancing the district’s Design II strategic vision through smart and modest investments- which included:
• The restoration of the certificated staff professional development stipend, which was suspended to help address budget reductions in the prior year
• Support for our newest program of choice—Vancouver iTech Preparatory;
• Support for 21st century learning environments, such as wireless networks in all schools and a district-wide staff laptop purchase that replaces fixed desktop units with flexible digital tools to untether our teaching staff;
• Support for family and community engagement, such as the possibility of adding Family-Community Resource Center sites based on economic need; and
• Support for instructional quality that assists our site-based administrators in their role as instructional leaders."
Following a presentation by Fiscal Director Steve Olsen, the regular board meeting was resumed. The Board approved Resolution No. 721 to adopt the 2012-13 budget.
