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SUPERINTENDENT'S
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Superintendent's Message
Rick Gantman, Superintendent
Mount Baker School District M&O Levy Passes!
Our Maintenance and Operations Levy for the 2005 -2008 tax years has passed. The Levy passed with a super-majority of 63.47%. The Levy will allow our district to continue operating our educational programs at the current level and to increase our focus on improving student achievement. I know that these are challenging economic times and that voting yes to replace the local school tax was difficult for some people; on behalf of the School Board and myself I want to express our deepest appreciation to our community for the support shown for our students.
Several of our neighboring school districts are experiencing difficulty with regard to their M&O Levies; Meridian, Sedro Woolley, Mount Vernon, Anacortes, and several districts in Snohomish County have failed their Levy propositions. Their administrators and School Boards will now re-evaluate their propositions and consider modifying or resubmitting them to the voters. If a school district does not pass an M&O Levy, it is extremely likely that they will have to make significant cuts in their educational and co-curricular programs.
2004-2005 MBSD Budget
We have begun working on the budget for next school year. The process begins with a projection of next year’s enrollment. The next steps include the development of a model of next year’s staffing, and a projection of next year’s revenue. I will keep you informed as we make progress in the development of next year’s budget.
Kendall Elementary School Principal
Dave Boeringa has been serving as interim principal at Kendall Elementary School since August when Steve Merz left Mount Baker School District. Kendall staff and Dave have been working hard on improving student performance and have made significant progress in school improvement. Dave has agreed to serve one more year as Kendall’s principal as the school gets ready to make the transition to a new principal for the 2005-2006 school year. Additionally, the process has begun to select an assistant principal for next year to assist Dave and staff in their improvement efforts.
Retired School District Employees Recognized
In their March meeting, School Board members and district staff honored and recognized the good work of retired school district employees, as they continue to volunteer and work in our schools.
See also March Board Briefs
