A message from the Superintendent

Oct. 27, 2011

Statement regarding Gov. Gregoire's initial budget proposal

While we recognize that Washington State is in an unprecedented budget crisis, it is the state’s paramount duty under our constitution to provide each child with a K-12 public education. The Governor’s recommendations further erode school districts’ ability to provide high quality education to all of our students. And they will be harmful to those students who are most in need of our support.

The Governor’s proposal to increase class sizes by two students in grades 4-12 will result in an additional “hit” to our already strapped school district budget. Our classroom size is mandated by our teachers’ contract so we have to pay for that contracted classroom size, even if we receive no money from the state. The suggested change to the state attendance policy to withdraw students after only five days of absence may save the state money, but will have the effect of increasing the dropout rate because the students will totally lose their connection with their school after five days.

We appreciate that the Governor does not appear to be recommending a cut to the school year or the elimination of full day kindergarten, but her recommendations will have the effect of increasing disparities and will have a negative effect on our students’ ability to be successful after high school.



Susan Enfield, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
Seattle Public Schools

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