Legislative Update The legislative session ended on Sunday April 28th at midnight.  Hundreds of bills were considered this session as well as fixes for the budget issues that schools face. School District Levies The levy lid was raised from $1.50 per thousand to $2.50 per thousand of assessed value.  This would allow districts to collect more local funding than what was previously legislated – if they are able to pass their levies at the higher amount.  Districts that have already passed levies at the $1.50 per thousand rate would be eligible to run another levy to make up the difference.  Districts that have already passed levies for more than the $1.50 can now collect up to the $2.50 amount if their board approves it. Approximately 2/3 of ESD districts are facing budget difficulties. This is one option that may provide [...]

Annual Board Planning Retreat ESD 112 Cabinet and managers joined the board of directors for its annual planning retreat on Monday, March 25. Program managers had the opportunity to highlight some of their accomplishments from this year, as well as challenges they faced in their various jobs. The afternoon was spent discussing the expansion of the Threat Assessment program to all school districts in the state as well as the growth of Head Start in our region. The board also heard about the challenges districts are facing when it comes to student behavior issues and how the ESD is gearing up to help. Jeffrey Niess, Gavin Hottman, Marnie Allen, and Superintendent Merlino visited a residential program for students on IEP’s in Wichita, Kansas to learn more about what it would take to open a similar facility here in Washington state. [...]