Superintendent's Message

Rick Gantman, Superintendent

Community Relations The new design of this newsletter represents another small step in the development of Mount Baker School District's community relations program. Furthermore, the new name of the newsletter, The Mount Baker Focus represents the district's continuous improvement efforts to focus on high achievement for all students. Several more steps are planned for this summer for our community relations program: the Superintendent's Advisory Councils will begin, our community calendar will have a new educational focus, and new information sheets about our district will be developed.

2003—2004 Budget No news is not always good news; in the March newsletter I reported that we are projecting a decrease of $250,000 in funding for the district. The Legislature is still working on the state's budget and the projection has not changed. The district's Educational Leadership Team is working on a plan to reduce expenditures for next school year by $250,000. In the meantime, I am working with Stewart Mhyre, our Business Manager, and the School Board to manage our Debt Service Fund to offset a portion of the decrease in revenue. Throughout the budgeting and financial management process, even in times of decreased funding, a high quality educational program is always at the center of our focus. It is our intention to have the budget cuts impact students as little as possible.

Calendar Survey — Parents of students in Mt. Baker Schools should watch the mail for a school-calendar survey that will be mailed in the next few weeks. Input will be sought about the 2004/2005 school calendar regarding start and end dates and length of vacations.

Superintendent's Messages

Mount Baker School District