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December 20, 2024 - Community Newsletter
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Inside this Newsletter:
- Message from Superintendent Amii Thompson
- Kindergarten Information Night
- Youth Meals Over Winter Break
- Farm-to-School Update
- News from Technology
- Board Brief
- Young People's March for Peace & Kindness
- Calendar
- Community Events
- Social Media
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Yay — we made it to Winter Break!
While our budget picture is difficult for this school year, next school year, and likely 2026-27 as well, we also are grateful to actually know where our true bottom line is so that we can make an action plan that does not continually change due to finding budget “surprises.” We are committed to remaining the relational, caring, collaborative, student-centered district that we are proud of and finding ways to create a balanced budget and regain financial stability now and in the future.
When we return from Winter Break in January, we will hold various focus groups for staff, community and students. For context, I want to share the following key points to help frame the conversations.
- BISD would end this year at a projected negative fund balance if we did nothing to change our current expenditures. As our budget currently stands, after making mid-year corrections, we are projected to end the 2024-25 school year at -$35,398. This number changes on a regular basis as new or unexpected expenses arise. We continuously look for ways to close the budget gap so we do not end in the negative. There are minimal district-level budgets from which we can pull in order to offset any unexpected/new expenses.
- Due to our non-existent fund balance and how we receive State Apportionment (20% in July and August) and Safety Net funding (September of the following school year), we are going to need to take up to 3 inter-fund loans from the Capital Fund this year to have enough cash on hand (i.e. cash flow) in order to make payroll.
- By January 2025, DBAC will make an initial recommendation for the dollar amount we need to reduce ahead of the 2025-26 school year.
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FOCUS GROUPS:
Kim Knight, BISD’s Chief Financial Officer, and I will host Focus Groups throughout the month of January and into early February.
- Community Focus Group Meetings will be held both in-person and via Zoom. Each meeting will begin with an overview of our budget challenges, then we will break into smaller groups for discussion. Please see the schedule and sign-up information here.
- The purpose of these meetings is to hear what you most value at BISD and learn your ideas for ways to increase revenue and areas for possible reductions.
Combined, there are more than 1,000 available slots in our Focus Group sessions for staff, community & students, and I look forward to spending time navigating these difficult topics with each of you. YOU are what makes the BISD such a special place to be, and your voice matters!
Wishing you each a Winter Break full of calm, peace, joy and a happy heart,
Amii Thompson
BISD Superintendent
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Spread the Word: It's Time for Kindergarten Information Night!
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WHEN: Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 6 p.m.
WHERE: x̌alilc Elementary, 12781 N. Madison Ave. NE
WHAT: Learn about kindergarten from representatives of all BISD elementary schools
*Note: This event is intended for adults. Incoming kindergarten students will have an opportunity to visit a school and classroom in March.
CHOICE PROGRAMS
INFORMATION NIGHTS
Along with traditional kindergartens at BISD neighborhood schools, BISD offers choice programs (meaning families choose to enter
them through a lottery**). Attend these program-specific information nights to learn more!
ODYSSEY MULTIAGE &
MOSAIC HOME EDUCATION
WHEN: Wednesday, January 22 @ 6 p.m. WHERE: Commodore Options, 9530 High School Road
EL VELERO (SPANISH IMMERSION)
WHEN: Thursday, January 23 @ 6 p.m. WHERE: Ordway Elementary, 8555 Madison Avenue N
**To be considered for the lottery, Odyssey and El Velero applications are due on Monday, February 10 at 3 p.m.
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Youth Meals Over Winter Break
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WHAT: Helpline House offers Kids' Pantry Bags to provide youth with food during Winter Break. Each bag provides enough food for one youth for a week.
WHEN: Bags can be picked up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays. Helpline is closed on Wednesdays and Christmas & New Year's Day.
LOCATION: Helpline House is located at 282 Knechtel Way, NE.
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The Farm-to-School team is excited to share that we’ve launched taste tests at schools across the district! Taste tests are a great way to give students an opportunity to taste something they haven’t already tried, and to gain student feedback on a new menu item. Students vote on the menu item after trying it to provide input on if they’d like to see it on the lunch menu again. We plan to offer taste tests monthly, rotating throughout schools in the district. Our team loves to engage with students, school staff and volunteers through taste tests.
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Minor upgrade scheduled for BISD Chromebook fine system
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The Technology Services department is upgrading a portion of the Chromebook fine system. This is a minor upgrade that will enable the Technology Services department to better manage the fine process and communication. Parents and Guardians should continue to use the InTouch system to pay online or pay fines at their school building. The new system is planned to launch the week of January 6, 2025.
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If you are interested in a high-level overview on what happened at the most recent school board meeting, then look no further than the Board Brief.
The next School Board Meeting is Thursday, January 9th @ 5:45 p.m. The agenda for the meeting will be available here soon.
Stay informed!
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Mark Your Calendars: Young People's March for Peace & Kindness
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The 6th Annual Young People’s March for Peace and Kindness will be held next month and is an opportunity to come together as a community in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
WHEN: Monday, January 20th. Letter writing from 10:30-11:15 a.m., march to post office begins at 11:15 a.m.
WHERE: Letter writing takes place at the Bainbridge Island Library, 1270 Madison Ave. and the march will be about a mile to the post office in Winslow.
WHAT: Participants are encouraged to bring signs, banners, friends and stamps. Addresses and inspiration provided.
This event is held with thanks to Bainbridge Island School District, KRL, and the BISD Multicultural Advisory Council. Questions or enthusiasms: awillhoit@bisd303.org
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DECEMBER
23: Winter Break Begins
JANUARY
6: School Resumes
9: School Board Meeting @ 5:45 p.m.
15: Kindergarten Information Night @ 6 p.m.
20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No School); Young People's March starting at 10:30 a.m.
22-24: High School Finals (Half Days); WMS Conferences (No School)
30: School Board Meeting @ 5:45 p.m
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Click here to view events happening in our local community.
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Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on what is happening within our school district, like the stunning patterns worn by Commodore Staff in honor of yesterday's Spirit Week theme.
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Non-Discrimination Statement
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Bainbridge Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Kristen Haizlip, Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Compliance Officer 8489 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110; 206-780-1058; khaizlip@bisd303.org
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