School cents

submitted by Ekalaka Public Schools

We believe in keeping our community informed and engaged. To that end, Ekalaka Public Schools is excited to launch a new monthly series!

Starting this month, we'll be sharing insightful articles about our school finances. These articles will appear in the Ekalaka Eagle and online, offering a transparent look at our budget, where your tax dollars go, and how we're prioritizing spending to best serve our students.

We believe that open communication is key to building a strong partnership with our community. We hope these articles will provide valuable information and answer any questions you may have about our school's finances.

"We believe it's critical to keep our community informed about how state and local policies affect our schools," said Mr Kapptie, Superintendent of Ekalaka Public School. "The monthly column will give parents, staff, and taxpayers a clear view of where our funds come from, how they're used, and how new laws like House Bill 408 might shape our district's future. It will give people a chance to get to know the "ins" and "outs" of our finances."

House Bill 408, signed into law earlier this year, allows individuals and corporations to receive tax credits for donations to specific educational programs and scholarships. The legislation has sparked enthusiasm and questions within the community. We are thrilled to announce that our elementary and high school districts have already secured $125,000 in tax credits through this program on January 15th. The 6 million dollars allocated by the state were claimed in just over an hour. HB408 does look to continue and will increase to $7.2 million for next year. We are optimistic that this funding will enhance initiatives such as advanced placement courses, arts education, and CTE expansion opportunities for our kids. By securing tax credits, we aim to reduce the burden on the general fund, freeing up resources to expand other programs and enhance various areas of our school funding. This means that by utilizing tax credits, we can dedicate more of our existing funds to initiatives that directly benefit our students

Future articles will delve into topics such as the district's upcoming election, budgeting process, state funding formulas, and updates on how funds from initiatives like House Bill 408 are being utilized. Community members are encouraged to submit questions or suggest topics they'd like to see addressed in upcoming editions.

"We are excited to keep opening doors for transparency for our community." Superintendent Kapptie stated.

For more information on the monthly series or to submit questions, visit ekalaka.net or email business manager Brittani Brence at [email protected].