We are approaching the end of what has felt like a very long and difficult road of staffing and budget reductions. It is hard to believe the number of twists and turns that we have faced since the fall of 2023—potential school closures, The SCAC (School Consolidation Advisory Council), multiple changes in our understanding of our budget situation, countless hours of focus groups, staff meetings related to the budget, legislative advocacy, Reduction In Force (RIF) notices and reassignments—there is no way around it, this has been a very overwhelming and heavy last few years. 

Next Thursday, May 8th, I will be proposing our complete cost savings plan for the 2025-26 School Year. As a reminder, I set a target of $6.6 million in cost savings in order to achieve a balanced budget. Of that target, approximately $6 million will be achieved through staff reductions, contract concessions and budget reductions, and approximately $600,000 will be achieved through budget recaptures, the initiation of student fees and a slight increase in revenue through a rental agreement with the Boys & Girls Club.

The $6 million in cost savings associated with staff is due to 85% of our overall budget being utilized for staffing costs. Cost savings targets were created proportional to the percentage of staffing costs by employee group:

BIEA 62% ($3,720,000)

BIESPA 25% ($1,500,000)

Administration 8% ($480,000)

Non-represented 4% ($240,000)

BECA 1% ($60,000)

Total: $6,000,000

We are currently on track to meet each of these targets and I will report in more detail at the May 8th Board meeting and will follow up with a detailed communication on Friday, May 9th. 

Thank you for your continued understanding, collaboration, care and commitment to our BISD students and staff. As we start to make it out of these turbulent times, and are hopefully on the cusp of brighter days ahead, I want to also hold space for the grief and loss associated with the required budget changes across BISD.

In solidarity and with gratitude,

Amii Thomspon

BISD Superintendent

BISD’s last day of school for the 2024-25 School Year is Monday, June 23rd. The last day of school runs on a half-day schedule. Buses run to/from school and breakfast is served at all schools (except @ BHS) but lunch is not served. 

If you are interested in a high-level overview of what happens at school board meetings, then look no further than the Board Brief.

The next School Board Meeting is Thursday, April 24 @ 5:45 p.m.

BISD would like to announce that Jason Sacho is the new Food Services Supervisor. Jason had been serving as BISD's Central Kitchen Coordinator, and we are excited to have him fill this role. He brings years of industry experience and a passion for creating delicious and nutritious meals.

As we transition into spring, educators across the district are gaining resources on hands-on garden and food education.

Recently, Megan Carson, who leads the BHS garden club, and Marcela Sandoval, WMS culinary arts teacher, attended the Seattle Public Schools School Learning Garden Network “Farewell to Winter” workshop. The educators toured a stellar school garden and greenhouse and learned from speakers and workshops. They honed their horticultural skills while learning about topics ranging from plant teachings for growing social and emotional skills, to making salves with garden items, to creating wellness areas in classrooms. These teachers are excited to dig into developing their school gardens to support student learning! Learn more about the BISD farm-to-school program here.

On Wednesday evening, BISD shared this message with the BISD community regarding additional cases of pertussis (whooping cough) that have occurred, impacting fully vaccinated students at BHS and WMS.

For more information, visit the Ktisap Public Health District's website.

The Annual Back-to-school Check-in (ABC) process is open and has been completed for 37% of students. This annual process lets us know that your student(s) are returning to our schools for 2025-26 and allows parents/guardians to review annual information. 

The ABCs must be completed* for all students attending BISD schools in 2025-26, including both new and returning students. Access the ABCs by logging into your Family Access account. It should take about 15 minutes (or less!) to complete. 

If you need assistance with the ABC process (such as translation, accessing technology, or other questions), please get in touch with the office manager at your student's school. 

NOT RETURNING? If your current K-11th grade student is not returning to BISD schools next fall, please inform your school's office manager.

Odyssey students participate in Mini-Classes on Fridays (one hour of parent-led classes that vary each session). Last Friday, a group visited Wyatt House to make floral arrangements with seniors, and another group met with service dogs. 

WMS 8th graders attended a screening of Honor Thy Mother in the BHS Theater on Tuesday. After viewing the film, students asked thoughtful questions of Gina Corpuz, the film's executive producer.

EHHS Senior Sebastian Ford (on the top right) helped push HB 1631 into law, which designates bull kelp forests as the state’s official marine forest. 

Sebastian was present at the bill’s signing and later learned that Governor Ferguson proclaimed it Bull Kelp Day. 

The Governor also honored Sebastian by naming him Washingtonian of the Day. 

Last week, Superintendent Amii Thompson and Dan Hamlin (executive director of Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District) met to sign papers to transfer land previously owned by BISD to BIMPRD. What a win for the entire community!

Click here to view events happening in our local community.

Is your non-profit organization interested in submitting news and events? Visit our webpage, Distributing News & Events, to learn how to do so.

5-9: Staff Appreciation Week

8: School Board Meeting @ 5:45 p.m.

16: District-wide Bike-to-School Day

26: Memorial Day (No School)

29: School Board Meeting @ 5:45 p.m.

10: School Board Meeting (NOTE: This is on a Tuesday) @ 5:45 p.m.

14: Graduation - Congrats, Class of 2025!

19: Juneteenth (No School)

23: Last Day of School