District proposes updated fees
The Anacortes School District will present increased fees for activities and athletics to the School Board on August 10, 2023. The increases reflect more realistic costs associated with sports and activities. The increases are also based on feedback the district received from the Budget Advisory Council, and other groups. The district has been engaged in a year-long process to rebalance its budget to address a $3.2 million shortfall, aiming to minimize direct impacts on the classroom environment as much as possible.
A draft of the proposed fees can be found on the district’s website. For example, individual sports participation fees have increased from $75 to $100, with a family maximum of $400. Equipment fees for football, track & field, and swim are $100, with an annual cap of $200. A table showing the changes can also be found on our website.
“We know that access to sports, and extracurricular activities is critical to keeping students engaged in school,” said Superintendent Justin Irish. “These increases in our athletics and activities charges will allow us to keep these vital programs accessible to more students.”
Fees are generally waived for students who qualify for Free or Reduced Meals. The district encourages anyone who thinks they may be eligible for the free or reduced program to submit their paperwork to our Food and Nutrition Services Office. All information received regarding free & reduced eligibility is kept confidential and only shared with staff who need to know.
If approved by the School Board, the new fees will go into effect immediately for the 2023-24 school year. The district will continue to review its fee structure throughout the next school year, gathering feedback from the Budget Advisory Council, SABA, students, families, PTAs, and other affected groups.
Questions? Mike Sullivan, Executive Director of Finance & Operations, (360) 503-1213 or masullivan@asd103.org
School libraries remain accessible in 2023-24
The Anacortes School District recently finalized a staffing plan for elementary and middle school libraries, ensuring that these valuable resources remain open and accessible to students for next school year and beyond. While the district faced the difficult decision of reducing its full-time paraeducators who staff the libraries, it is important to highlight that the libraries will remain open and accessible, but with limited hours for next year.
School principals are developing plans to use current staffing to support and facilitate efficient management of library materials and the overall experience for students. Moreover, the district will continue to work to ensure that the library collection remains relevant and engaging for years to come.
Recognizing the critical role of libraries as a valuable resource, Superintendent Justin Irish emphasizes, “We identified a plan with our principals to continue providing students access to the libraries. As we have heard from staff, community, parents, and students, the libraries are a critical resource. We have identified a cost-neutral solution to keep the libraries accessible.”
While staffing the library plays a crucial role, it’s important to note that classroom teachers also actively contribute to promoting reading and literacy skills among students. “Our teachers will continue to foster a love of literature in our students through book recommendations, read-alouds, and access to both classroom and library materials,” said Heather Paddock, Director of Teaching and Learning.
It is worth mentioning that the district has undergone a year-long process to rebalance its budget to address a $3.2 million shortfall, aiming to minimize direct impacts on the classroom environment as much as possible. Furthermore, due to the budgetary constraints, many departments and staff throughout the district have been significantly affected, requiring adjustments and restructuring to ensure the efficient functioning of various programs and services. Despite these challenges, the district remains committed to fulfilling its levy commitments and the continued operation of school libraries.
Questions about current staffing to support and facilitate efficient management of library materials, please contact your school principal.
If you have questions about maintaining and enhancing district-wide library materials and resources, please contact Heather Paddock, Director of Teaching & Learning, (360) 503-1224, hpaddock@asd103.org
Text messaging - opt in now!
The Anacortes School District uses text messaging as an additional communication tool to alert families and staff about closures and emergencies.
What to do now?
Confirm that your school has your accurate mobile phone number, if you want to receive text messages. Log into your Skyward Family Access Account. If your mobile number is not accurate, you can update your information through Skyward Family Access.
If you don’t know your Skyward login, you can reset your password through Skyward Family Access. Click on “Forgot your login/ password?” This will prompt you to enter your email address to reset your password. The system will take 5-7 minutes to send you a new password.
Next steps
- Once you have verified that your mobile number is correct, you can “opt in” to receive the district’s notifications.
- Text “Y” or “Yes” to 67587 to opt in or scan the QR code located on this flyer.
- Text Message Test Day
Questions? Contact the Superintendent's Office: (360) 503-1211 or tramsay@asd103.org
School Supplies - 2023-24
Items have been updated for AMS.
