Board approves spending plan that adds teachers

By JENNIFER NITSON

Gazette-Times reporter

For the first time in years, the Corvallis School Board had the opportunity to approve a budget that included hiring teachers, reducing class sizes and expanding programs rather than making cuts.

The board unanimously passed the 2007-2008 budget Monday night.

With a record $6.245 billion in projected state funding, an estimated $3.755 million from the local option levy approved by voters in November and other state, federal and county resources, the district will be able to provide funds at the rate of $9,410 per student.

The majority of the spending, $6,725 per student, will be for teachers and other faculty who work closely with students - including teaching assistants and counselors, and one school nurse, and for textbooks and supplies.

As of Friday, the district has hired 88 new teachers. The average class size in Corvallis elementary schools next year will be between 23 and 24 students, down by three students per classroom. At the middle and high school levels, the average class size in core subjects will go down by four students per classroom to 28.

The next biggest chunk of money, $1,614 per student, goes to buses, buildings and food.

The rest is spent on principals, assistant principals and secretaries' salaries, business services and technology. Central administration receives the smallest amount, at $213 per student, or 2 percent of the budget.

Board members discussed possibilities for the Corvallis School District's share of a $260 million school improvement fund expected to be announced soon as part of the total state budget.

Outgoing board chairwoman Kari Rieck advocated for more spending on electives at the middle school and high school levels, and board member Matt Donohue proposed more resources be allotted to the district's talented and gifted program.

Budget director Kathy Rodeman and Superintendent Dawn Tarzian warned against adding any new requirements to budget spending this late in the process.

"If you are going to wait to decide how this money is going to be used, that severely compromises our ability to hire teachers," Tarzian said.

Rodeman noted that the state has not yet indicated what the money, which would come in the form of a grant, can be used for.

To apply the funds for the 2007-2008 school year, "we are going to have to be light on our feet in order to meet the state requirements," Rodeman said.

The district has already compiled a list of priorities for these funds. First on the list is class-size reduction at all levels, beginning with kindergarten through second grade.

"The one thing we know our community wants us to do is cut class sizes," said board member Blake Rodman.

In the end, Rieck made a motion that the board consider scenarios that would include adding electives in middle schools and high schools in the future. All but vice chairwoman Donna Keim voted in favor.

"We have approved the budget, let's get through this next year and then come back and consider electives," Keim said before the vote.

The board elected officers for the coming term, which begins July 1.

Rodman was elected chairman and Donohue vice-chairman.

New board members John Turman and Lisa Corrigan and returning member Anne Schuster were sworn in to their posts. Due to a scheduling conflict, Bill Ten Pas is to be sworn in later in July.

In other business, the board:

• Presented the first draft of the Corvallis Community Vision for Education, which includes the results of a months-long brainstorming process that solicited the input of parents, students, teachers, district staff and other community members, prioritizing wants and needs for education in Corvallis. Class sizes, consistent core curriculum district-wide and systematic assessment of students' progress is recommended in the document, as well as focus on literacy, use of technology and more. A final draft of the document is expected in August.

• Presented the key initiatives proposal for 2007-2008. The proposal, which will go to the board for approval in the fall, focuses on increasing literacy in students, curriculum alignment, graduation requirements, contract negotiations with employee groups, safety procedures and more.

An overview of the 2007-2008 Corvallis School District budget can be found at www.csd509j.net/.