Vashon Island School Board adopts Option Two cuts, pledges to pursue restorations after outside funding

The Vashon Island School District board voted May 14 to adopt "Option Two," a set of staffing and program reductions intended to close a budget gap ahead of a May 15 certificated deadline. Board members said the choice was difficult but necessary given incomplete state revenue projections and an immediate shortfall.

The vote followed hours of public comment and detailed review of consolidated budget worksheets. One board member argued for a pragmatic approach in light of statutory deadlines, saying the district often restores positions later when additional revenue or reconciliations are finalized.

Kenny Levens, representing the schools foundation, told the board the district’s GiveBig fundraising campaign far exceeded its $40,000 goal and had reached about $777,000 as of the meeting; the foundation committed to directing campaign proceeds to help offset cuts. A board member proposed directing $22,000 of recently raised funds to restore a Tier 2 classified PBI specialist to an eight-hour day, reducing immediate impacts on tiered student supports.

District staff and board members discussed several spreadsheet scenarios labeled Option One through Option Three and an additional consolidated "Option Four" view created to display all proposed cuts. Staff member Casey said the numbers in the materials were taken from prior proposals and cautioned that transfers, seniority and summer staffing changes could affect final salary costs: "I took the exact numbers that were given to us originally," Casey said, noting there may be hidden expenses and that final staffing reconciliation would follow.

Board members and public commenters repeatedly raised concerns about the likely effects on student-facing services, paraprofessionals and special-education supports. Parents described classroom disruptions and the role of student-support staff in de-escalating behavioral incidents; one parent said the district’s decisions were prompting families to consider leaving. Several speakers asked the board to prioritize restoring Tier 2 math and counseling supports.

The board also discussed whether athletics and central-office functions had been adequately examined for potential savings. Community members who compiled athletics-cost data said the spreadsheet was presented as information rather than a formal proposal and suggested partnerships with local clubs or park districts as potential revenue or cost-sharing options.

A motion to adopt Option Two with the Budget Advisory Board’s recommendations and the stated intention of later restorations was made, seconded and recorded as passed; the transcript records "motion passes" but does not include a roll-call tally.

Next steps include staff reconciliation of positions to program lines, additional review of F23 revenue figures that staff said are incomplete, consultation about collective-bargaining terms and a planned third-party review of central-office structure. Board members said restorations will be considered based on revenue reconciliation and advisory-board priorities.

The board’s action puts a near-term plan in place to meet legal timelines while keeping open the possibility of reversing some reductions if additional funds are secured or accounting reconciliations reduce the projected shortfall.