On the Same Page
Message from Superintendent Dr. Tammy Campbell - Oct. 2018
Hello Team Federal Way Public Schools,
Thanks for all you do to ensure our scholars are thriving both inside the classroom and in the larger school community. In this edition of On the Same Page, I have two important topics I want to highlight:
- Promising classroom practice; and
- Our plan for budget reductions for the 2019-20 school year.
Unpacking Learning Targets, Rigorous Writing and Promoting a Growth Mindset in Mrs. Bunting's 4th Grade.
Rigorous Literacy instruction at Sacajawea in Susan Stone's 6th grade resource room.
Using AVID strategies to ensure college and career readiness at Federal Way High School in Mr. Hamilton's classroom.
As shared in my communication to all staff in early September, we are planning for budget reductions beginning in the 2019-20 school year.
While the McCleary funding formula provided some relief, it did not fully address the funding inequities that Federal Way Public School faces when compared to our surrounding districts. Many districts are in the exact same position as we are, and as I talk with other superintendents they are experiencing funding gaps and are planning reductions as well. If the legislature does not intervene to fix deficiencies in the funding formula, Federal Way Public Schools will face a $10 million deficit by the year 2020.
We must plan now for the fact that we may not see corrective action implemented by the legislature. This means we will see strategic cuts in programming, with the goal of having the smallest impact to the classroom as possible. Due to the size of the deficit, the impact of these cuts will be felt at the central office, departments and schools. We are in the process identifying potential savings for the 2019-20 school year.