April 17, 2008

Ritzville School District hearing set on I-728

The Ritzville School District will hold a public hearing on the proposed uses of Initiative 728 funding on Monday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library.

I-728 public hearings are required and are a necessary step in planning uses for the funding. All stakeholders in the Ritzville education system are encouraged to attend.

According to Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (www.k12.wa.us/I728/default.aspx), funding for the initiative comes from state property taxes and Emergency Reserve Fund spill over.

At the Web site, it states, “The initiative provides additional money to help students reach new state learning standards. It also dedicates certain state revenues to a ‘Student Achievement Fund,’ increasing revenue to the fund over time.”

There are six allowable uses of I-728 funds, according to the Web site:

• Reduce class sizes in grades K-4.

• Make selected class size reductions in grades 5-12.

• Provide extended learning for K-12 students.

• Provide additional professional development for educators.

• Provide early assistance for children who need pre-kindergarten support.

• Provide improvements or additions to school facilities that are directly related to class size reductions and extended learning opportunities.

School boards must hold a public hearing before May 1 on the proposed uses of I-728 monies. A final plan must be adopted as part of the district budget by Aug. 31.

Each year, school districts must provide an accounting of the funds and how they were used. Copies of the report are submitted to OSPI and the Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission.