While neighboring school districts brace for pending budget and staff cuts, the La Conner School Board members at their April 28 public meeting approved the purchase of 94 Apple computers and a 36-passenger diesel-powered bus.
The total cost of the computers is just under $80,000, half of which will be covered by a recent donation from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community earmarked for district technology upgrades.
“We moved on this purchase right away,” said La Conner Superintendent David Cram, “due to the fear of tariffs.”
Students will receive these computers in the fall, and they won’t be affected by tariffs.
The price tag for the bus, tax included, is about $145,000. The Thomas Built C2 161ITS bus might be delivered in time to go in service before the end of the school year, Cram said.
Cram added that the district soon anticipates another addition to its transportation fleet with delivery of a bus replacing the one struck and damaged by a motorist on I-405 last fall.
In the long run, the district remains committed to vehicles with smaller carbon footprints.
“We’re still hopeful,” Cram confirmed, “that we can secure a grant for an electric bus.”
For now, Cram said the district is bolstered by the recent receipt of about $865,000 in federal impact aid monies. He said another $200,000 from that federal source is expected in the near future.
The federal impact aid law provides funds to school districts, such as La Conner’s, with students residing on Native American reservations or military bases.
Also during the meeting, La Conner High Senior Class President Josie Adams and staff advisor Theresa James gave a presentation during which they said the class has already raised funds required for its end-of-year trip to Disneyland in June.
“We’d like to thank all those who have donated to the class and helped them raise funds,” James said. “I’m really proud of this class.”
Board president Susie Deyo, a 1978 La Conner High grad, concurred.
“We’re so glad that you’ve made enough money for your trip,” Deyo said.
The meeting closed with Cram and board members reflecting on a recent forum with leaders from Skagit County’s other school districts now dealing with declining enrollments, much as La Conner had to coming out of the pandemic.
“We heard about what’s going on around the county,” Cram said. “Other schools are seeing their enrollments going down while ours has leveled out. They’re talking about RIFs (reductions in force). So, these are some tough times for our neighbors.”
Cram noted that Burlington-Edison is closing its Westview School, and districts are considering reducing their number of daily class periods to trim operating costs.
Student enrollment is the main driver of state funding of public school districts in Washington state. Falling enrollment rates, post-COVID, have had a wide-ranging impact, Deyo said.
La Conner, though, is on target to finish the year at its projected K-12 enrollment level of 460 students, Cram said.
Bill Reynolds: bill@laconnercommunitynews.org. Bill is a general assignment reporter who covers Town government, schools, and spot news.
