Strong Swinomish partnership, financial recovery highlighted
La Conner School Board members and district administrators, who previously met with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Senate, resumed their commitment to community outreach by holding an Oct. 27 business meeting and two public forums at the Shelter Bay Clubhouse.
Though sparsely attended, school leaders said the meeting in Shelter Bay was time well spent.
“This gives us the opportunity for a meet and greet, to introduce our board and deepen our relationship here in Shelter Bay,” board president Susie Deyo said.
Superintendent David Cram addressed district enrollment, finance, capital projects, academic initiatives and new programs while school board student representatives Kellie Cayou-Lockrem and Emmalin Goodman shared an overview of campus events and activities.
Audience members quizzed the board and administrators on those topics plus district volunteer opportunities, efforts to minimize cafeteria food waste and the unique relationship between Swinomish and La Conner Schools.
Parent Jeff Marrs also praised the district for having hired Marcus Knowles this year as the La Conner Elementary Principal.
“You guys really hit it out of the park by hiring our elementary principal,” Marrs said. “You guys have done a great job, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are going at the elementary.”
Cram said the district has weathered a challenging post-COVID financial climate, conditions imposed in large part by declining student enrollment, which he said is the main driver of state funding support for public schools.
“This year we have about 460 kids,” Cram said. “About five or six years ago, we had an enrollment of about 600. So, enrollment is a focus of ours.”
Cram said that the district has climbed out of state binding conditions — financial oversight requirements imposed when districts are in fiscal distress — through changes in staffing and operations.
Deyo and board member John Agen pointed out that Cram serves as both district superintendent and business manager, and that Christine Tripp is principal of the middle and high schools and director of athletics, as examples of staff members juggling multiple roles.
“At one point, we were down to $25,000 in cash reserves and now we’re looking at a $900,000 to $1 million balance,” Cram said. “We’re still not at the board’s goal of having 10% of the budget in reserves, but we’re getting closer and we’ve been able to stabilize that fund balance.”
Cram said he hopes La Conner’s small school atmosphere, new free pre-K classroom, high school alternative learning center and the Braves Hub after-school program will help boost attendance.
Board member Alana Quintasket, who also serves on the Swinomish Senate, said the relationship between the district and tribal community “is unmatched in Washington state.”
Cram and board members noted that the Swinomish tax committee annually contributes $500,000 or more to the district’s general fund. Swinomish also employs paraeducators for each grade level.
“That’s another half-million dollars and it’s something that other school districts don’t have,” Deyo said.
The district receives between $2 million and $2.5 million each year in federal impact aid money to offset tax exempt reservation properties,Deyo said. The figure represents about one-fifth of the district budget.
Cram said the current federal government shutdown will delay receipt of the second half of the district’s 2025 impact aid allocation.
“It’s been approved and awarded, it’s just that the disbursement has been delayed,” Cram said. “We have no control over the situation, but we’re confident the funds will come.”
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
