Mount Baker Monthly Update

Greetings Mount Baker Families,

I hope this message finds you well as we approach a much-deserved holiday break. This time of year invites reflection, celebration, and a renewed sense of hope for the future.

As I reflect on 2024, I am inspired by the incredible support our District continues to receive. From passing two crucial levies in February to the ongoing contributions from parent organizations and booster groups, the care and commitment shown by this community are truly remarkable. Your unwavering dedication ensures our students have the resources they need to thrive.

I am also grateful for the extraordinary efforts of our staff. Despite financial challenges and increasing demands, they continue to go above and beyond for our students. Whether managing larger class sizes or finding creative ways to maximize resources, their dedication is a testament to their commitment to education and student success.

This school year has already given us much to celebrate. Keep an eye on your mailbox for a District mailer highlighting some of the outstanding teaching, learning, and achievements happening in our schools. This communication marks the first step in a renewed effort to share our successes and strengthen connections within the broader Mount Baker community.

Looking ahead to 2025, I remain optimistic about the opportunities before us. Our focus on financial sustainability will be critical as we engage with lawmakers and budget writers in the upcoming legislative session. With aligned efforts across Whatcom County and beyond, we will continue to advocate on behalf of our students.

As we close out this year, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your continued support.

Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season and a happy new year!

Sincerely,

With the start of the legislative session coming up soon, now can be an excellent time to contact your legislators and let them know what your priorities are for their work as they set the budget and agenda for the next two years.

The Mount Baker School District Legislative Priorities have not changed. We urge our legislators to:

• Fully Fund the actual cost of our Materials, Supplies and Operating Costs (MSOCs)

• Fix the Regionalization factor that reduced our funding by 6% since 2022-2023

• Increase the Staff Allocation and,

• Fully Fund Special Education

There is a push from our partners across the region for the legislators to also update the cost of transportation, which does fall short in Mount Baker. We think this graphic illustrates the current shortfall of state funding for the Mount Baker School District.

We will be working with our local legislators to help them do better for our kids. If you have anything that you would like to discuss with them, you can find their contact information here, and now, before the session starts, is the best time for them to hear from you.