Deer Park School Board of Directors, Eric Keller, Lindsay Lofstrom, and Superintendent Dr. Allman engaged in legislative advocacy in Olympia. During this time, they met with legislators, including our own Representative Andrew Engell, from around the state to express concerns about the MSOC funding gap for Deer Park School District, requested to reduce or eliminate educational mandates, and requested legislators give School Boards local control. Dr. Allman gave a testimony expressing concerns about the state's inadequate staffing ratios and allocations. They even met with the governor's assistant and were the first educational constituents to meet with her.
Friendly reminder: No School on February 14 and 17!
Please find the February 2025 DPSD update from Dr. Allman: https://5il.co/36tnr. Have a great weekend!
Next Facilities Advisory Committee Meeting: Feb. 11, 2025, 6:00 pm @ District Admin Office. Come join us!
School funding: Did you know that district costs have increased significantly & beyond our control? These include maintenance, supplies, and operating costs (MSOCs): costs have increased overall as have insurance and maintenance and operations costs such as heating/cooling and utility costs. Check out the gap between state funding and district costs. The gap is absorbed by local funds.
Read all about it! Stay up to date with the Facilities Advisory Committee and their input/feedback. Many thanks to the Tribune for also providing an update. Learn more here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/facilities-advisory-committee
We need your input & we want to hear from you! Contact Superintendent Alexa Allman if you have comments, thoughts, ideas, and suggestions: alexa.allman@dpsdmail.org.
Many thanks to the Deer Park School Board for their commitment to our students, staff, and the community! What does the school board do? The list of School Board duties is lengthy, including hiring the Superintendent, making decisions on property acquisition or sale, approving collectively bargained agreements, authorizing public bids and large expenditures, approving the district's annual budgets, adopting core curriculum, as well as specific issues related to personnel. For more information visit our School Board website: https://www.dpsd.org/page/board-of-directors.
Friendly reminder: No School on Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr., Day.
Miss the FAC meetings? Stay up to date & visit our website: https://www.dpsd.org/page/facilities-advisory-committee
School funding: Did you know that DPSD's insurance premiums have nearly doubled in the past couple of years? In 2024-25, DPSD has budgeted to spend $4.4M more on MSOCs than the state-funded amount. Of that $4.4M, $825K is to cover our insurance & utility costs. Those costs have increased by over 94% in the past three years.
Would you like updates and input on capital projects and priorities for DPSD? Please join us! Monday, Jan. 13, 6:00 pm. Visit our FAC website to learn more: https://www.dpsd.org/page/facilities-advisory-committee
Ever wonder about DPSD's finances? Check out our Citizen's Guide to learn more: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2495/dpsd/4780693/2024-25_Citizen_s_Guide_to_Budget.pdf
Happy New Year from Deer Park School District! Please find Dr. Allman's January update: https://5il.co/3406z.
On behalf of Deer Park School District, Happy New Year!
Deer Park School District wishes our community and families a delightful and wonderful holiday break: December 23 - January 3. Happy New Year!
Want to learn more about how WA schools are funded? Learn more here: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2495/dpsd/4350105/Web_Version_-_Funding_FAQs.pdf
