The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg School Superintendent Carol Clarke announced at the Sept. 10 school board meeting that the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will recover $38,708 from the district's September apportionment due to the district's "failure to maintain effort in the special education program". Clarke said the unexpected financial ding is "a tough one."

Clarke explained that the recovery comes as a result of staff reductions that took place in 2009 and 2012. In 2009 the district chose to reduce the administration staff from three to two. The administrator whose position was eliminated was placed into a special education classroom, since that's where they were certified. At that time two para-educator positions were eliminated to compensate for that additional certified teacher.

In 2012 the district made the decision to reduce special education certificated staff back to two teachers from three. "As a result, our special education expenditures in 2013 reflected almost a $93,000 reduction from the previous year," said Clarke. "We didn't change the services we were providing, but this is considered by the federal government as a failure to maintain effort."

Clarke said she spent a great deal of time assuring OSPI that the reduction didn't impact the special education program, a fact she feels is reflected by the number of Waitsburg special education students that graduate and meet state standards. Clarke was able to get the cost reduced by $45,000 but OSPI is still going to recover $38,708.

Clark said that in her conversation with the Director of School Apportionment and Financial Services it was very clear that the gains and successes of Waitsburg's special education students was insignificant as well as good stewardship on the part of the district.

"We were good stewards of the public's money and we are providing an excellent program for our special education students, "said Clarke, who is thankful the district has a strong general fund balance to cover the loss.