After 13 years with the Lake Washington School District (LWSD), Dr. Chip Kimball, who became Superintendent in 2007, said he’d never seen such a big turnout at a public meeting.

Hundreds of parents, teachers, students and community members packed the cafeteria at Redmond High School Wednesday night, for the second of four public meetings about proposed state cuts to the district budget.

THE HARSH REALITY

To offset an estimated $9 billion budget deficit, the state wants to increase class sizes in public schools; decrease support for at-risk students and professional development for teachers; and reduce transportation for students.

“How did we get here?,” Kimball wondered aloud. Global recession, less spending and less sales tax revenue all translate to less state funding for schools, he said.

“Basic education in Washington is protected from budget cuts, but the definition is very limited, created in the 1970s,” Kimball added.

Initiative 728 forced the state to lower class size and provide safety nets for struggling kids, but those measures are not included in the definition of basic education, he said. And when basic education was conceptualized in the ’70s, it didn’t account for modern technology and its present role in the classroom.

In that regard, some people have asked Kimball why the district doesn’t just do away with new computers and ActivBoards that some consider frivolous.

He pointed out that capital funds for technology and building improvement can not be used for general operations such as teacher salaries or textbooks.

The situation is complex, but “the Lake Washington School District is committed to budgeting by priorities,” Kimball promised. Goals are to “focus resources on direct classroom support and keep central services small and lean.”

Difficult choices must be made to trim approximately $12.7 million from the district budget, or what amounts to about $7.7 million after federal stimulus money is applied.

And choices must be made soon, rather than waiting for the final budget from the state legislature, because potential layoffs must be announced by May 15.

YOUR OPINION COUNTS

So far, 1,100 staff and 1,500 parents have taken an online LWSD survey about the proposed state budget cuts and how to soften the impacts.

For example, if keeping class sizes small is a priority, community members must be willing to sacrifice in other areas, perhaps eliminating some after-school activities or athletics.

Input from the survey and from the public meetings will be passed on to a Decision Advisory Representative Team (DART) which must present a draft proposal to the Superintendent by April 24.

“We will look at it again, have another public meeting in June,” said Kimball, before informing the audience that the evening’s gathering was “not an open mic” and not a time to argue about what was essential and what was not.

“Frankly, everything on this list is important. Nothing is expendable. You will make the trade-offs,” said Kimball.

SORTING THROUGH THE OPTIONS

In a short question-and-answer session, one parent asked if extra fees could be charged to save some programs, rather than taking them away.

Yes, for some programs such as athletics, said Kimball. But the district, by law, can not charge for certain programs such as testing for the gifted student programs.

“Can’t we do a bond issue to raise money for general options?” was another question.

Not for basic education, Kimball explained.

“Is increasing class size from 19-26 (for grades K-1) a must?,” another attendee inquired.

Kimball said parents and teachers could vote, “I’m okay with 23 in a class but not 26.” Points on the input forms, representing dollars, could be shifted around to compromise in some areas.

Asked how teacher cuts would be made, Kimball said decisions would be based “on seniority and need.”

Another parent queried, “Can we cut the WASL to avoid teacher cuts?,” drawing laughter and a smattering of applause.

Kimball patiently smiled and said no.

Before attendees studied worksheets and filled out input forms, Kimball assured them, “Today is not a vote. This just gives us a sense of community and informs us to help make a decision. … We will fight, fight, fight in Olympia … to make sure your kids get a great education.”

Two more public meetings about the LWSD budget are scheduled and are open to anyone who resides within the Lake Washington School District:

• 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, Eastlake High School, 400 228th Ave. NE, Sammamish.

• 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, Juanita High School, 10601 NE 132nd St., Kirkland.

For more information on the LWSD’s 2009-10 budget, go to www.lwsd.org/News/2009-2010-Budget/Pages/Budget-Q-and-A.