Twenty members have been appointed to the district’s newly formed Budget Advisory Council (BAC), which will meet throughout the year to provide input on the district’s budget priorities, strategic goals, and overall financial health.
The Anacortes School District is engaged in a proactive budget planning process to develop its 2023-24 budget and beyond. The district’s current $45 million budget utilizes nearly $2 million in district reserves, due to declining enrollment, increased costs across all departments, and loss of one-time federal COVID funding. The district is working proactively to identify cost savings to balance the district’s budget, and will also have some difficult decisions to make this year. The shortfall currently represents about 6 percent of the district’s budget.
The BAC members represent staff, school board, students, parents, and community. Appointed members are:
- Jack Curtis - Parent
- Matt Cutter - School Board Director
- Kia duNann - Principal Representative
- Octavia Eslick - Anacortes Education Association Representative
- Diana Farnsworth - School Board Director
- Jay Ferrario - Service Employees International Union Representative
- Camille Flinders - Parent
- Darene Follett - Parent
- Erin Glick - Anacortes Education Association Representative
- Brady Graham - Student
- Elliott Johnson - Parent
- Kelly Kreher - Anacortes Education Association Representative
- Dan Moroney - Parent
- Danette Riordan - Anacortes Technology and Information Professionals Representative
- Aimee Rudge - Anacortes Administrative Assistants Association Representative
- Emily Schuh - Community
- Matt Stine - Community
- Rene Vance - Community
- Carrie Worra - Parent
- James Yandle - Staff
“I am excited for the opportunity to engage with our community to help us balance the budget,” said Superintendent Justin Irish. “I appreciate these members in particular for dedicating their time to this important work. The decisions we make will impact all schools and programs, and I appreciate having a diverse range of perspectives.”
The BAC meetings will also be open to the public to view the process. The BAC meetings will be held in the Anacortes High School library.
The meeting schedule, and additional information is posted on our website: https://www.asd103.org/District/Department/26-Finance/1063-Untitled.html
“As a parent, I know how crucial the district’s budget is to student success; as a tax-payer, I know how important it is for our district leadership to serve as wise stewards of their funds,” said Jack Curtis, BAC member. “I am eager to learn more and also provide input into the district’s spending decisions so that we are all focused on making the best decisions for our kids, in both the near and long term.”
Budget Town Halls
In addition to the Budget Advisory Council meetings, the district will host several town hall forums about the budget throughout the year. These are also open to the public.
- 12/8/22 - 5:30 - 7 p.m.
- 2/2/23 - 5:30 -7 p.m.
- 4/27/23 - 5:30 - 7 p.m.
These town halls will be held in the Anacortes High School Commons.
Questions? Contact Mike Sullivan, Executive Director of Finance and Operations, (360) 503-1213 or masullivan@asd103.org