A student absent on the first day of school in Bellevue this fall won't just miss the opening bell.
Under Washington's enrollment-based funding model, that absence means the district can't claim full-year state funding for that student. For a district recovering from a $20 million deficit, every headcount matters.
That's the message behind Bellevue School District's (BSD) new "First Day, Every Day" campaign, announced Thursday, June 25. The district is urging all families to have students in seats when classes begin Wednesday, September 2, for grades 1-12.
Washington funds schools based on enrollment headcounts taken on 10 monthly count days, not daily attendance. Under state rules, the September count establishes the baseline for the full year. If a student isn't enrolled or present before that count, BSD cannot claim funding for them until they show up. Students who arrive later generate only partial-year funding.
Superintendent Dr. Kelly Aramaki wrote in a June 22 blog post that BSD expects ending reserves in August to reach just over $10 million, up from negative $700,000 the prior year. But Aramaki also wrote that the state is projecting further funding reductions in the next biennium.
Key dates for families:
- Grades 1-12 first day: Wednesday, September 2
- Kindergarten and Evergreen Transitions Program: Tuesday, September 8
- Preschool: Wednesday, September 9
The district's Welcome Center, led by Dr. Ricardo Macias, is offering enrollment assistance, multilingual support, immunization and transportation guidance, orientation sessions, and drop-in appointments throughout the summer. Families can visit bsd405.org for current hours and scheduling.
BSD will share preparation resources over the summer. The district published a companion guide, "Attendance Matters: Summer Tips to Be Ready for the First Day of School," on June 10.
