News & Information

Dear Bellingham School District Students, Families and Community Members,

Thank you for your input on the draft of the Budget Savings Plan Recommendation that we shared publicly on Feb. 27. Through noon on March 5, we received significant input through the district's Web site and during the community meetings held on March 2 and 3. Based on that input, I carefully weighed the number of students, families and staff affected throughout our entire school district of 10, 500 students. I am recommending these modifications from the draft plan shared on Feb. 27:

I am not recommending that we eliminate the high school athletic/activity coordinator positions. We heard from community members, staff and hundreds of high school students who would have been affected by the loss of this service. In exchange for keeping these positions, I am recommending that each of these positions teach one class (.2 FTE) and perform the coordination duties as .8 FTE to remain at full-time. Several replacement items from the "For Future Consideration" section are recommended to recoup the savings needed because of this change.

I also am recommending that we keep our current half-day, every day kindergarten schedule (with the full-day pilot option). We heard from families across the district that would be affected with childcare and other issues created by a less consistent daily schedule for kindergarteners. I am also recommending replacement items from the "For Future Consideration" section to recoup the savings from this change.

Finally, I am recommending a modification to the total elimination of middle school interscholastic athletics. In order to replace the current program with intramural athletics/activities, it is necessary to provide funds to design, implement and operate this program. I am also recommending replacement items from the "For Future Consideration" section to recoup the savings from this change.

To view the Budget Savings Plan Recommendation, please click here. 

The School Board's online Listening Post is always open: please click here. An opportunity for verbal public comment, according to established procedures, is also available at School Board meetings at 7:30 p.m. March 12 and immediately following a work study session, which is also open to public, at 6:30 p.m. March 17, 1306 Dupont St.

To view the district's Budget Process and Timeline and an FAQ, please click here.

I genuinely wish to thank you for your assistance in providing ideas and input into this Budget Savings Recommendation. We have so much to be proud of in our school district, including families, staff and actively engaged community members who care greatly about the education of our children.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kenneth Vedra
Superintendent of Schools