Expenditures

Classroom

Educational services for the district’s 19,000 students are provided in sixteen elementary schools, six middle schools, three comprehensive high schools, and a choice high school, accounting for 56.9% of the budgeted expenditures. This includes expenditures for teachers, counselors, librarians, principals, paraprofessionals, teaching supplies, extracurricular programs, staff development, curriculum development, and technology support. 

The district offers a comprehensive program of basic education services to students. Each school is equipped with a library, counseling services, nursing services, and extra-curricular programs. The Teaching and Learning Department and Student Assessment Department collaborate to align the classroom curriculum with local, state and national learning goals. Parent participation in the educational process is high with valued PTSA membership. This support is crucial to the success of the Issaquah School District.

The district offers the latest in technology to support student learning. Teachers are provided opportunities to learn how to use technology in the classroom to best enhance the learning environment. Equipment and software tools are continuously upgraded.

The district also provides many cocurricular and extracurricular opportunities designed to promote physical, intellectual and leadership development. In addition, students are able to participate in the Running Start Program, which allows them to earn college credit for high school classes, thereby advancing their standing in higher education and future careers.

Classroom Support Services

The second largest portion of expenditures, accounting for 18.1%, goes to classroom support service programs that support the education programs of the district and consist mostly of classified salaries and materials, supplies, and operating costs. This includes districtwide support, food services, and pupil transportation with staff in maintenance, custodial services, food service, security, bus drivers, mechanics, office professionals, and administrators. The departments in these programs provide for the governance of the district, the hiring of hundreds of staff members each year, and maintaining the grounds and buildings to ensure a quality learning environment. Additionally, support services manage essential utilities and operations, including heat, lights, water, telephones, insurance, warehousing, and data processing services. These services ensure that the district's educational programs run smoothly and efficiently.

Special Services

The district serves over 2,000 students receiving specially designed instruction. These services are designed to provide an individualized educational program to meet the students unique learning needs. This is a quality program that results in many students meeting the same demanding curriculum standards as peer students. The cost of the program is approximately $56.7 million next year.

Despite participating in an appeal to the State Supreme Court regarding the inadequate funding of special services programs, the district lost its case against the State. Nevertheless, the district firmly believes that the Legislature should define special services as part of the basic education program and require it to be fully funded under the parameters established in the state constitution. To address the shortfall created by the state's current funding formula, the district is budgeting $16.1 million in the coming year to supplement special services funding.

Expenditures for special services and related services for students receiving specially designed instruction represent the third largest portion of the budget, accounting for 13.9% of the total expenditures.

Other Instructional Programs

Expenditures in other instructional programs include Title, Learning Assistance Program (LAP), Transitional Bilingual, Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) as well as highly capable, summer schools, and local grants. These programs account for 5.2% of budgeted expenditures.

Community Services

Community Services provide programs for the benefit of the whole community or specific segments, such as preschool, Before & After School Care, and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). These programs account for 3% of budgeted expenditures.

Vocational Education

Career and Technical Education (CTE) are work skill programs in the secondary level and account for 3% of the budgeted expenditures.