The Methow Valley School Board unanimously passed a $17.8 million budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 at their meeting July 25. The budget serves 741 students that are expected to be enrolled in the next school year. School Board Chair Dana Stromberger told attendees that the board was accepting comments but not questions prior to the vote.

There was no discussion during the meeting among the school board members about line items in the budget. Venable said he meets with school board members monthly.

“Serving as the secretary to the board of directors, one of my responsibilities is to promote a healthy organization through regular two-way communication. This includes scheduling monthly 1:1 meetings with each independently elected board member. Meeting with three or more members outside of a regular or special board meeting would constitute a quorum and serve as a potential violation of the Open Public Meetings Act.”

According to the first page of the budget, the $17.8 million revenue includes $2.5 million in levies approved by voters for 2025 collection.

Venable complained about the rising cost of insurance. He said regional superintendents spoke with legislators and in response, received $21 per full time student in additional funding, which raised $15,455 for the school district. Venable praised the community for passing both education funding levies in February by large margins but cautioned this is earmarked for enrichment, not basic education. He said the state’s educational spending could drop to as much as 44% of the state’s operating budget and called the state negligent and “irresponsible in living up to their obligation.”

“We invest in what we value,” Venable shared from School Board Director’s Frank Kline’s words 11 years ago.

Venable said 80% of school districts in the state are making significant reductions in expenditures and more will follow absent an intervention.

“I am so proud of work we have done to preserve educational opportunities,” said Venable, praising the Public School Funding Alliance (PSFA) for their participation. He also praised the Winthrop Kiwanis and Booster Club for their support of after school clubs and activities that meet after school childcare needs. Venable said the MVSD has had 105 after school clubs and has expanded athletic programs to include middle school athletics. Last spring, 90% of sixth to twelfth grade students participated in a club or athletic program at no cost to families. 

He praised school staff for taking modest salary increases to preserve school programs, as well as administrators such as the International Baccalaureate coordinator and integration media specialist who are returning to the classroom. Venable said they are “selflessly taking action to support priority.”

“Moving forward, this will require advocacy directed at our legislature locally and statewide helping them understand what our community expects of our school,” said Venable.

Stromberger said there was “not enough thanks for financial staff working countless hours.”

“Thank you for your hard work and dedication,” said Stomberger.

Venable finished his update by saying the district applied for two grants totaling $12 million to replace the elementary school roof and to fix the LBHS parking lot. This will be reviewed in the next legislative session.

I am the founder and editor of Methow Valley Examiner, an online publication for locals, by locals. We explore stories beyond the headlines.

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