La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

Rich Stewart hasn’t had the luxury of easing into his new job as interim Superintendent of La Conner Schools.

Just two weeks into his role as the school district’s lead administrator, Stewart on Monday night led a video-conferenced budget study session amid the uncertain financial climate posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

School districts must submit their budgets for the ensuing fiscal year to the state in July. The La Conner School Board will adopt its 2020-21 budget at its July 27 meeting.

District officials anticipate decreased revenue and are braced for a modest reduction in student enrollment, one of the key sources of state funding for public schools in Washington state.

However, Stewart and the board were bolstered by news that the annual $660,000 Swinomish Tribal Community contribution to the district will be trimmed by just 10 per cent.

“The tribe,” Stewart said, “is able to offer more than what was expected.”

District officials projected receipt of $200,000 from Swinomish, whose revenue was significantly impacted this spring by the coronavirus induced economic shutdown.

The district is building a 2020-21 budget based on 585 full-time students attending La Conner Schools. Attendance averaged around 602 students last year.

La Conner, like other Skagit County districts, is eyeing development of a robust on-line presence and alternative learning program for families choosing to keep their children home due to health and safety concerns.

Stewart said neighboring districts are leaning toward a hybrid instructional format in response to COVID-19 with a blend of in-person and on-line learning.

“We’re not sure how many kids will stay home or go to another school system,” Stewart acknowledged. “But I’m fairly confident we’ll be okay.”

Board president Susie Gardner Deyo stressed the need to annually budget $200,000 for capital improvement projects.

In related notes:

* Hiring two secondary math teachers is a priority.

* The board will interview candidates for the vacant Shelter Bay director district seat during an Aug. 3 special meeting. Brad Smith resigned in June.

Information for participating in the July 27 Board meeting is on the District website.