SEATTLE -- Will it be bad -- or horribly bad? That's the question some school districts are asking as they wait for lawmakers to announce the state budget and their decision regarding school levies.
The Lake Washington School District faces the possibility of major teacher layoffs. The school district includes the communities of Redmond, Kirkland and Sammamish, and with 24,000 students, is the sixth largest school district in the state.
But this is one school district that, depending on how lawmakers rule, may face losing up to seven percent of their budget and as many as 100 of its teachers.
Fourth grade teacher Carol Woodard has taught at Redmond's Dickenson elementary school for 16 years. The past several have been particularly stressful as the district absorbed a $7.7 million budget cut last year and a failed bond measure this year.
"We are dealing on bare bones as it is," she said.
But now, the situation is getting dire. Depending on how lawmakers rule on the state budget and school levy legislation, this school district could lose anywhere from a few million dollars, to $15 million out of its budget, meaning almost certain teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, and fewer athletic opportunities.
"Teachers worry, especially our new teachers, about 'Am I going to be able to pay my mortgage? Am I going to be able to pay my bills?'" said Woodard.
"Olympia really holds all the cards right now," said Lake Washington Schools Superintendent Chip Kimball.
Despite some of the affluent neighborhoods in the district, Kimball explains Lake Washington schools are funded 263rd out of 295 districts in the state. He says in the worst case scenario: The district may have to lay off as many as 100 teachers.
"It's interesting because four years ago, a couple million dollars felt like a disaster, and today it feels like a gift," said Kimball.
Since it's likely the Legislature will extend its session, there will likely be a few more weeks before this and other school districts learn how deep the cuts will be. Once they know their budget, there will be a series of community meetings to figure out what programs and positions will be cut.
