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More Teachers, Less Security: Layoffs Not Expected in Proposed Budget for Puyallup School District

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 June 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Tara M. Manthey, The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash.

Jun. 13--A chorus of angry parents tapered to two voices as the Puyallup School District released its proposed budget for the next school year.

This spring, dozens of parents protested a proposal to cut secondary school security guard positions. But Monday night, just two parents appeared to voice concerns.

Parent Gwen Joseph asked that the board reconsider the superintendent's plan to cut administrative support positions in the junior high schools. Joseph said such a staff member at Kalles Junior High often deals with student issues before they become violent.

"I really believe that he has been able to deter a lot of things from happening," she said.

The savings from the security and administrative cuts -- about $462,000 -- will go to classrooms, salaries and benefits, a data system and other expenses such as fuel and cleaning.

"School campus safety and security is a very important issue, and it is one I will not compromise in any way," Superintendent Tony Apostle said.

However, he said, the district needs to provide equitable and responsible staffing to all the schools. Unfilled positions will be eliminated and layoffs are not expected.

The budget includes a one-time allocation of $75,000 to hire a Puyallup police officer to serve as a school resource officer at Puyallup High School, the only school without such a position. Debra Aungst, assistant superintendent, said the City of Puyallup would prefer that the district have a long-term plan to support the officer.

The proposed budget details how the district plans to spend nearly $4.4 million in increased revenue. Much of it comes from a newly approved local tax levy and additional state money for an expected increase of about 370 students. A small part will come from a new athletic transportation fee, likely to be $8 per student per sport in junior highs and $15 in high schools.

About $835,000 will be spent next year on buying and upgrading data collection systems in order to comply with a racial equity lawsuit settlement. The system will allow the district to gather and analyze violent incidents and student discipline.

The proposed security cuts became a hot issue in a spring budget meeting after a Rogers High School student was arrested on suspicion of planning a violent attack at the school.

Just two parents appeared at Monday night's hearing, despite a cadre of parents who developed an e-mail network and set up picket lines at two junior high schools and the district office.

Kalles Junior High parent Karen Cooley asked the district not to base decisions on "guesswork," but to make a better effort to develop a strong security system.

"The most recent events in the last few days illustrated that if the school does not feel safe, (students will) do things to make themselves feel more safe," she said.

Cooley referred to an off-campus fight last week that prompted a 17-year-old Emerald Ridge High student to bring a rifle, baseball bat and brass knuckles to the South Hill school the next day.

The student, who was arrested, said he feared retaliation at school for the fight, police said.

Security officers at the school were tipped off about student-shot video of the fight that included footage of the weapons, police said.

budget at a glance

Highlights from the Puyallup School District's proposed 2006-07 budget:

New money:

-- $4.4 million from local tax levy, new students, carryover, athletic transportation fee and other sources.

New spending:

-- $2.3 million on students and classrooms, including new teachers and reinstated daily cleaning in secondary schools. It also includes a $235,000 data collection system.

-- $2.1 million on staff salary increases and union contracts.

-- Savings to maintain 5 percent carryover balance: $350,000

New cuts and one-time spending:

-- $462,000 in cuts to security at secondary schools, junior high administrative staff and central office administrative services.

-- $95,000 for a school resource (police) officer at Puyallup High School and security guard at Stahl Junior High.

-- $130,000 to support crowded schools and transport overflow Pope Elementary students to Emerald Ridge High.

-- $1.1 million in curriculum development and materials.

-- $675,000 for data system upgrades and capital equipment.

Tara M. Manthey: 253-597-8646

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Copyright (c) 2006, The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The News Tribune

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