Ian Saltzman during the student portion of the new Everett Public Schools’ superintendent interviews on May 29, 2019 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Ian Saltzman during the student portion of the new Everett Public Schools’ superintendent interviews on May 29, 2019 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett schools may slash 140 jobs to deal with $28M deficit

The school board on Tuesday adopted a blueprint for potential layoffs and deep program cuts to make ends meet.

EVERETT — Dozens of teachers, administrators and paraeducators would lose their jobs and an online academy for students would shut down under a cost-cutting plan approved by leaders of Everett Public Schools on Tuesday.

As many as 142 full-time positions would be eliminated, including elementary and secondary teachers, in the school board’s blueprint for overcoming a looming $28 million budget deficit next school year.

On a 5-0 vote, the board adopted the Reduced Educational Program. The action clears the way for Superintendent Ian Saltzman to begin preparing for possible job reductions, a process requiring negotiations with employees covered under collective bargaining agreements.

“We’re affecting real people with these decisions,” school board member Andrew Nicholls said. “None of us are taking that lightly.”

Board president Pam LeSesne added: “Our cuts should be as far away from students as possible.”

Everett School District, like many others in the county and around the state, faces a confluence of threats to their budget next school year.

Enrollment is down and inflation is up. Federal pandemic aid is going away and state dollars aren’t likely to be enough to make up the loss.

In Everett, revenues for next school year are projected to be roughly the same as this year. Employee salary increases, most of which are tied through contracts to inflation, will add $27.7 million in expenses, according to a district budget presentation.

There’s uncertainty around that figure because the state has yet to set the inflation factor districts must use. That figure will come out in late spring.

Other school districts in Snohomish County are preparing spending reduction road maps in response to their own projected deficits. But they are waiting to adopt them, some until mid- to late April, in part because by then it may be clearer how much state aid will be coming.

Saltzman said the Everett board wanted to act now to be transparent with families and employees about the situation. As new information arrives, plans can be updated, he said.

“We hope for relief. We’re looking forward to seeing what happens,” he said. “This is a very challenging time for everybody and every district. We wanted to get out early. We felt it was the right thing to do for our system.”

Ahead of Tuesday’s vote, the board held several public meetings. Saltzman said there’s been ongoing conversations with employee unions.

“I think it’s preparing for the the worst-case scenario when they don’t have a lot of answers from Olympia,” said Jared Kink, president of the Everett Education Association, the union representing teachers.

The plan approved Tuesday calls for a reduction of 142.3 full-time-equivalent positions across Everett Public Schools.

Of the total, roughly 42 full-time certificated classroom teacher slots are targeted — six elementary, nine middle school, 15 high school and another 12 working as instructional coaches and support teachers. District officials and Kink think retirements and resignations could cover most of these, thus avoiding layoffs.

Another 14 school site administrators and nearly 24 paraeducator jobs are on the chopping block.

Also on the line are clerical and office positions, and roughly two dozen additional teachers who work with students at different schools. Those support instructors and facilitators have expertise in specific subjects and programs.

Everett Virtual Academy, launched in the fall of 2021 for students who wanted a full year of remote learning, would close at the end of the current school year.

Enrollment has been dropping as students choose to return to class, officials said. There are 146 students in first through eighth grades currently enrolled, down from a peak of 600.

The board’s decision to itemize potential cuts this early is appreciated, Kink said, even though it is “causing a lot of stress on people and systems.”

State lawmakers could ease the stress by answering funding questions sooner than later, he said.

Two big questions are whether the state will fully fund special education costs and if it will backfill federal pandemic aid when it is used up next year.

A lot of those federal dollars, he said, have gone to support students with learning loss and those dealing with behavioral health issues.

“The problem has not gone away,” he said. “It’s really frustrating that Olympia is not responsive to this. They’re abandoning the problem.”

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dospueblos.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

George Beard walks into the Stanwood Library with coffee in hand on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
As winter approaches, Stanwood man remains homeless

George Beard is living in his car because he’s too sick to work. So far, connections to resources haven’t been enough.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
‘Right-hand man’ in Snohomish County drug ring sentenced to 10 years

Humberto Garcia was convicted of drug trafficking in April. He’s the last member of the group to be sentenced.

Snow is visible along the top of Mount Pilchuck from bank of the Snohomish River near Rotary Park on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett initiative asks: Should the Snohomish River have legal rights?

Initiative 24-03 proposes legal standing to prevent environmental damage. Opponents say it’ll lead to unnecessary lawsuits.

The Grand Avenue Park Bridge is seen as the sun sets in 2022 in Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Elevator at Grand Ave. bridge in Everett closed due to vandalism

The city hopes to reopen the elevator by December. Repairs could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Riaz Khan finally wins office on his fifth try. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mukilteo police seek info on alleged attack on House candidate

Riaz Khan, a former City Council member, said he was fixing campaign signs Tuesday morning when two men attacked him.

Brandon Borg, 21, fills his gas tank in Everett on Oct. 24. Borg must drive long distances for work, and is worried about how the rise in gas prices will affect his ability to save money for his future. (Caroline Walker Evans for Cascade PBS)
Young WA voters say cost of living is their top concern

Everett and Seattle residents cited gas prices and rising rents as motivating factors for their votes this year.

Arlington
9K remain without power in Snohomish, Island counties

At one point Monday afternoon, over 20,000 had lost power. Winds were expected to subside.

Boeing workers file into Angel of the Winds Arena to vote on the latest contract proposal from the company on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists vote in Everett, elsewhere on latest proposal

It’s the third vote by union members since the strike began on Sept. 13.

Snohomish County Elections employees check signatures on ballots on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
5 things to watch in Washington heading into Election Day

Keep your eyes on statewide initiatives, the race for public lands commissioner and two contentious congressional races.

Snohomish County Elections employees Frank Monkman, left, and Tina Ruybal, right, place sorted ballots in a green container on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County’s guide to the 2024 election

Here is everything you need to know before Election Day.

The Victorian home sits on Whidbey Island. (Alyse Young for The Washington Post)
Whidbey couple thought they found their dream home — then came the bats

The couple had no recourse after unknowingly buying a home infested with thousands of bats.

Everett
Everett men arrested in huge bust of Seattle drug ring

On Wednesday, investigators searched 31 locations, but suspects from Lynnwood and Edmonds remained at large, officials said.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.