Revenue Sources

Questions
1)  How will the district determine what to do with the Ricketts property and, specifically, Pop Keeney Stadium?
2)  What are some examples of non-traditional revenue sources?
3)  What role is corporate and/or business advertising playing in the district's effort to generate non-traditional revenue?
4)  How successful has the District been in pursuing grant money?
5)  Raising money is one thing, but what has the district done to make legislators aware of the challenges?
 
Answers
1)  Q How will the district determine what to do with the Ricketts property and, specifically, Pop Keeney Stadium?
A
The City of Bothell and Northshore School District jointly announced in May 2007 the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would allow the parties to further examine the potential possible purchase of the District-owned downtown property by the City. The approximately 18-acre site is located on State Route 527 between NE 183rd and NE 188th Streets in Bothell and does not include the Pop Keeney Stadium and its surrounding recreational areas. The property under the MOU is the former home to the Northshore School District administration offices and other educational facilities. The District moved its administration to the Monte Villa Business Park in late 2003 and has rented existing building space to various tenants since that time.
2)  Q What are some examples of non-traditional revenue sources?
A
We are keenly aware that while we need more revenue, we must be thoughtful and deliberate in these efforts and keep our focus on student learning at all times. Some of the areas we are investigating include:

Soliciting work from other non-profit agencies: Northshore's Graphics Center is currently self-supporting. By accepting work from other non-profit agencies, the staff has been able to cover annual operating costs while still keeping costs low for in-district "customers."

Helping to build the Northshore Public Education Foundation (NPEF): The Board of NPEF is working hard to increase resources for schools. They annually hold several fund-raising activities which have allowed them to fund several initiatives.

Establishing new business partnerships: The Northshore School District and NPEF are working together to develop business partnerships. The district and NPEF co-hosted a corporate breakfast in August 2007 to explore ways to partner with the local business community.

3)  Q What role is corporate and/or business advertising playing in the district's effort to generate non-traditional revenue?
A
At the moment, advertising plays an inconsequential role in generating revenue for our district. The non-traditional revenue generating task force was created in hopes of developing a policy that would allow us to respond to potential advertisers who approach the district with an offer of support in exchange for company visibility. At the very least, the development of a policy will provide a consistent way to respond to those inquiries.

The more common ways in which we've been generating non-traditional revenue include:1) soliciting work from other non-profits, 2) strengthening the work of the Northshore Public Education Fund, and 3) applying for grants. We have also introduced participation fees and increased facility usage fees. Perhaps most importantly, we continue to advocate the need for stable and consistent funding with the legislature.
4)  Q How successful has the District been in pursuing grant money?
A
Not as successful as we had hoped. As state and federal revenues continue to decline, more and more districts are competing for the same dollars. Districts with greater diversity and a higher percentage of students on free and reduced lunch are experiencing more success than we are.
5)  Q Raising money is one thing, but what has the district done to make legislators aware of the challenges?
A
Board members and the Superintendent continue to focus on funding and students as well as staff needs. They serve as advocates on these issues at both the state and federal levels. Some of their contacts with key legislative leaders are direct, some are through professional organizations, and some are in partnership with other districts.