Ordway PTO – BISD Budget and State Advocacy

How You Can Support the District

Bainbridge Schools Foundation (BSF) is an independent nonprofit organization that exists to bridge the substantial education funding gap that exists despite government funding and PTO support. BSF works in close partnership with the Bainbridge Island School District to ensure its funding reaches 100% of BISD students, kindergarten through 12th grade.

Groups advocating for our schools, children, and community.

Check out the information and links below to learn about other organizations on Bainbridge Island who advocate and support our public schools.

Bainbridge Island Public School Supporters (BIPSS) is a grassroots, citizen-based, campaign organization that works to help pass Bainbridge Public School bonds and levies.

Learn More | Get involved | Advocate

Do you want to learn more, let your voice be heard, or get involved?

Then, keep on reading! We have some great links to get you started.

How You Can Advocate for BISD Funding

Many communities and school districts across our state are experiencing significant budget crises resulting in school closures, staff reductions and school program eliminations. Bainbridge Island is pitching in with the  Billion Dollar Bake Sale – Washington. The group is reaching out to as many PTOs, PTO councils, advocacy groups and communities across Washington state to participate in an Olympia advocacy day on January 30, 2025. This is a volunteer group trying to build a collective voice to share these legislative priorities in-person.

BISD is developing a toolkit to simplify advocacy. It will include talking points on the top 3 legislative priorities, an email template, a ready-to-send postcard, a focused contact list of legislators, key dates, social media posts, and community newsletter announcements for community use.

• Know someone at a senior center or another community group where we can engage? Let’s connect.
• If you have contacts in other WA school districts with similar concerns, we’d love their support, too.

WA State Funding of Public Schools

Here are some links to important Washington State public school funding resources:

Washington Association of School Administrators

Washington Association of School Business Officers

Washington Office of Superintendent of Office Instruction (OSPI)

Washington State School Directors’ Association (WASDA)

Washington State PTA

Washington School Funding

School Funding - Articles and More

Here are some links to articles on public school funding:

The Seattle Times – With schools, money does indeed matter … Aug 30, 2024

The Seattle Times – Most WA voters think schools need funding boost … Oct 22, 2024

The B.I. School District

The  Superintendent is Amii Thompson. You can email her at athompson@bisd303.org.

The BISD Superintendent website can be found HERE. At that site, you can find:

• Additional contact information for the Superintendent’s Office
• Links to the 2024-2025 Budget Challenges
• Further info and guides to understanding the school budget

To share your questions on the 2024-2025 Budget Issue, fill out the form HERE. Answers may be answered on the FAQ page HERE.

To share your feedback on the Budget & School Closure Scenarios, fill out the form HERE.

The B.I. School Board

Attend School Board meetings to hear what’s going on, and to voice your comments.

• If you plan to attend any School Board meeting in person and wish to make a comment, there will be a sign up at the door, on a first come, first serve basis. If you plan to attend via Zoom and would like to comment, please contact Lani Chaffee, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at LChaffee@bisd303.org, or 206-780-1052.
• If you plan to attend in person (without commenting), then RSVP to Lani Chaffee, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent. She needs a head count to reserve a properly sized room for the School Board meeting(s). If attending via Zoom, contact Lani Chaffee to get the Zoom link. Lani’s contact info is:  LChaffee@bisd303.org, or 206-780-1052.
• The School board meeting schedule can be found online HERE.
  
• You can find the agendas to the board meeting will be posted about 3 days before the meeting at the link HERE .

Other ways to connect with a School Board Member:

• Show up and meet a School Board Member at one of their coffee dates. See the schedule HERE .
• You can find the School Board Members and their contact info HERE .

Last Year's Budget Issue (2023-2024 ) ... Now A Closed Subject

Below you’ll find links to documents and meetings regarding the 2023-2024 School Year Budget Issue.

Clink on the + icon to expand the list to see the documents and videos available.