SPOKANE, Wash. – Tonight is the last board meeting for Spokane Public Schools (SPS) until July. As a part of Wednesday’s discussion, board members will make a final decision on whether or not there will be an SPS bond on the ballot come November.
If it is back in November, it could look a bit different.
That’s because back in February they came up about 4% short of the 60% support that they needed for their $200 million budget to be approved.
Our partners at the Spokesman Review say this is the first time in over 50 years where voters have said no to an SPS bond.
Since then, board president for SPS Nikki Otero Lockwood says the board has been listening to the community, coming up with ways to adapt.
One option is to potentially lower the budget from $200 million to about $75 million, and focus on improving the schools that need it the most.
“The board is very thoughtful,” said Lockwood. “The board wants SPS to be a strong public education system for our community and the students that we serve. We will make a good decision for our community…”
Three separate meetings will happen tonight.
An executive session at 4 (public not allowed)A special meeting, likely around 4:45 (public allowed to attend in-person or virtually but no comment allowed)A regular board meeting at 6 (public allowed to attend in-person or virtually, public can ask questions / comment)
The regular board meeting will go as long as needed to discuss all topics on the table. The public can use the regular meeting to address anything they heard in the special meeting.
To attend virtually or learn more about the meeting, click here.
You can attend in person at 200 North Bernard Street. The front doors will be open to the public at least 30 minutes before the start of the meetings.
