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LWSD Budget Priorities: Your Input Urgently Needed! –Survey Open Now

     Because of anticipated cuts in the state budget, Lake Washington School District is currently anticipating that the district will receive nearly $5 million less in state funds next year and that amount could change. The district is seeking parent opinion on what items should receive priority in funding as it develops the budget for the 2009-2010 school year. An online survey is available through the Lake Washington School District website, www.lwsd.org, now through April 5th, 2009.

     In 2006, the last time that the district faced significant budget cuts, a committee consisting of community members, parents, teachers and administrators developed a budget-decision screen. This screen has been used since then in determining where cuts can be made in each school year’s budget. The current survey asks parents and community members to rate the items currently on the screen to determine if the district still has the right priorities for funding. The survey also asks the public to rate specific budget items on how important each item is to fund.  

     In addition to seeking public opinion on budget priorities, the district will continue to monitor the budget work being done in the legislature and will adjust the amount of cuts needed accordingly. For planning purposes, the process of determining these cuts needs to begin now, instead of waiting until the end of the legislative session.