An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is used to identify all the impacts an activity might have. The EIS discussed here brings to light just the educational impacts that were not completely addressed in the approved EIS. This material has been added to the CRC WWW site in support of the schools and also to illustrate that simply having an approved EIS does not mean that all enviromental issues were necessarily addressed.
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September 14, 1998
State of Washington
Department of Corrections
P.O. Box 41101
Olympia, WA 98504
Dear Sirs,
I am writing as superintendent of Ocosta School District and on behalf of the seventeen public schools located within 50-miles of the Stafford Creek Corrections Center (Aberdeen, Cosmopolis, Elma, Hoquiam, McCleary, Montesano, North Beach, Oakville, Ocosta, Satsop, Taholah, Quinalt, Wishkah Valley, North River, Raymond, South Bend and Willapa Valley). Having recently filed our Request for One-Time Impact Funds with our appropriate local government authorities (Chapter 137-12A WAC), several issues occurred to us that may require separate negotiations with the DOC.
Schools are an integral part of the environment that must be considered in the Stafford Creek Corrections Center. The environmental impact statement (EIS) must discuss the direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of the Project on school facilities (WAC 197-11-060[4]). This discussion must be adequate and accurate (WAC 197-11-440[6][e]); WAC 197-11-060[4][c]).
Unfortunately, after reviewing the EIS, several errors were discovered that need to be addressed. A more thorough review may reveal others. Ocosta School District is conferring with legal counsel in respect to these errors and may seek to resolve these issues at some future date if the EIS is not revised so that it fully and accurately describes the Project s impacts on schools and more specifically, Ocosta School District and the City of Westport. The errors that stand out most notably are listed below. On behalf of the public schools in the Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties, it is imperative that the DOC meet with and negotiate a process to determine the impacts listed below and agree on the terms to adequately resolve these issues.
1. The draft EIS stated that the two primary determinants of location patterns included the distance each town was from the site and the town s population.ý The report incorrectly indicated that the City of Westport was 30-miles from the Stafford Creek Corrections Center. In reality, the City of Westport is 15 miles from the Center.
The gravity model used to allocate employee residences to local jurisdictions (GH-43 and 44) appears to use incorrect mileage to local jurisdictions, does not address the fact that the facility is located within Ocosta School District, and does not model the decision-making of future employees. Within the school district are numerous residential opportunities that would be particularly appealing to the management and professional employee population of the Center. We believe other modeling should be presented that account for the nature of the surrounding communities including sampling the employee populations of other state correctional facilities.
The EIS indicates that the only school districts impacted would be Hoquiam and Aberdeen. The report is incorrect. The study focus on these two communities and schools failing to take into consideration the correct distance to Westport and the fact that the Stafford Creek Corrections Center is located entirely within the boundaries of Ocosta School District. This is a major error. The direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of the Project on the City of Westport and Ocosta School District were not addressed as per WAC 197-11-060(4) and the discussion in the EIS is not adequate and accurate as per WAC 197-11-440(6)(e) and/or WAC 197-11-060(4)(c).
2. In the draft environmental impact statement, Westport Shipyard isn t listed. However, when compared with the companies listed, the Shipyard would rank third with a work force of 275 on site. According to Westport Shipyard s Vice President, Larry Nelson, the shipyard may expand soon to over 300 making them the second largest employer in Grays Harbor County.
3. Ocosta School District may be required to provide Basic Education services to Inmates under eighteen and Special Education services to Inmates under twenty-one. This was not addressed in the EIS. This service may be required on site requiring special class sizes, scheduling, staff training, travel, staff supervision, and modifications to the school district s certificated staff contract. The state reimbursement formula does not provide for additional services. If these services are required, the additional costs must be negotiated between Ocosta School District and the DOC.
4. School districts will be required to provide transportation for both the regular and Special Education students generated as a result of this project. Reimbursement for the additional costs must be negotiated between the affected school districts and the DOC.
5. Portable classrooms are not an appropriate mitigation for the permanent impacts of school enrollment growth due to the correctional facility. The draft EIS states that the correctional facility will employ 635 FTE, induce 451 related jobs (which we assume includes jobs related to businesses located within the correctional facility) and house 1,936 inmates many of whose families will relocate to Ocosta School District in order to be near their spouses. We assume one quarter of prisoners will have families living in the area, or 484 families. The impact of the correctional facility will be 1,580 residences. As the host school district, we assume that one-third of these residences will be within the service area of Ocosta School District, or 527 residences. The average number of students residing in a new residence is 0.68 students. The resulting impact on Ocosta School District is therefore 358 students. These estimates must be revised with each of the school districts in this region. Our analysis indicates that the average cost of providing school facilities for additional students is $30,000 per student. The impact of the projected 358 additional students is approximately $10,750,000.
6. The most significant impact on Ocosta School District is on the operational budget for the district. The district currently has an assessed valuation for tax basis of $411,616,804 for the current enrollment of around 830 students. The current tax rate is $3.58 per $1,000. The District estimates that the projected 527 new residences will increase the assessment only $31,620,000 (527 times an average assessment of $60,000). The 358 projected new students will require an annual subsidy of $413,554 in order to maintain current spending per child without increasing the current tax rate.
7. The in-migration of employees is understated. It is believed that local residents working in the Center will leave lower paying jobs, which will then be filled by people who will move in from outside the community. The EIS doesn t take into consideration the in-migrantý population that will take positions vacated by residents who are hired by the Corrections Center.
How many of the resident hires will vacate positions in our communities that will be filled by in-migrants? The people who fill these positions will not appear to be connected to the facility but will still be a direct result.
The only positions that will not result in in-migrantý will be people who are hired who are currently unemployed and living in the community.
8. The EIS did not take into consideration the attractiveness of the community and the desirability of relocating to a particular area.
In addition to the problems identified with the EIS above, the district has contacted a number of school districts both in the state of Washington and in other states who have been affected by the construction of correctional facilities. Based on this information, it is clear that the number of households associated with the inmate population will be higher than estimated in the EIS and requests that additional analysis be conducted on this issue. Since the EIS failed to include Ocosta School District, the projections are not available. However, it is critical that we discuss and agree on the numbers before moving ahead.
The EIS must discuss reasonable mitigation measures that would significantly mitigate the project s impact on the environment (WAC 197-11-440(6)(a); WAC 197-11-440(6)(c).
Mitigationý means:
1. Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action;
2. Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation, by using appropriate technology, or by taking affirmative steps to avoid or reduce impacts;
3. Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environments;
4. Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action;
5. Compensating for the impact by replacing, enhancing, or providing substitute resources or environments; and/or,
6. Monitoring the impact and taking appropriate corrective measures.
The EIS identifies measures that could be used to address the impacts of the Project on the school districts and suggests that the addition of portable classrooms will mitigate the Projects impact. As stated above, portables are not an appropriate mitigation for the permanent impacts of school enrollment growth due to the correctional facility. The impact on Ocosta School District was not included in the EIS.
Classrooms must be supported by core facilities such as lunch rooms, rest rooms, library facilities, and other support services such as Special Education, Title I, counselors, school psychologists, etc. The addition of portable classrooms does not mitigate the impact additional students require. Portable classrooms also need to be connected to the building fire alarm system, intercom, water/sewer, and the internet. Further, portables are not a long-term solution.
In addition to the problems with the EIS, there are other issues that have not been addressed. The public schools in Grays Harbor and Pacific County request that negotiations be scheduled to deal with the following items:
1. The Small School Funding Formula - Several of the school districts in the region may actually lose their small school funding if their enrollments grow due to the Stafford Creek Corrections Center. The DOC and school district must determine a process to be used to determine if enrollment is caused by in-migrantsý moving to the area to work in, support, or be near the Correction Center.
2. Special Education Funding Relief - The state currently funds school districts based on 12.7% of the school districts enrollment. However, many of the school districts in this region are over the 12.7% cap. Ocosta School District, for example, is currently serving over 17% of the students enrolled in the school. The DOC and school districts need to develop a process to determine if in-migrantý populations impact our schools. If there is an impact, an impact fee should be provided.
3. Facilities - Some school districts in the region may be faced with adding facilities in order to meet enrollment increases due to in-migrant growth. The DOC needs to negotiate a process to monitor growth attributable to the Corrections Center with school districts in the region.
4. Basic Education and Special Education Services to Inmates - It has been reported that schools with correction facilities located within their respective school district boundaries have recently been sued for not providing Basic Education services to Inmates under eighteen and Special Education services to Inmates under age twenty-one. We wish to notify you that the district will expect the DOC to meet and fund any of the remedies established as a result of this class-action suit in order for Ocosta School District to provide the necessary educational services at the Center. If the DOC refuses, the DOC is asked to hold harmless, defend, and indemnify Ocosta School District and its agents from any current and/or future claims filed by or on behalf of any inmates for Basic or Special Education services.
If it is determined that Basic and Special Education services must be provided at the Corrections Center, Ocosta School District requests sufficient advance notice to advertise, screen, interview, and employ the staff necessary to meet the education needs of inmates who will qualify for said services. In addition, the DOC is asked to make classroom space available to the Ocosta School District in order to comply with state and federal laws and any remedies resulting from the lawsuit.
Ocosta School District has completed a one-time impactý request.
However, this will be an on-going expense for both the school district and the DOC if it is determined that educational services must be provided. The DOC and representatives from Ocosta School District need to begin meeting immediately to review the DOC s plans for classroom space, equipment, etc.
The school district wants input into the design of the classroom space to be certain that it meets the needs of the Special Education and Basic Education programs that must be offered at the Corrections Center. In addition, we will need to work out details such as access to the classrooms by school district employees, employee safety, and other issues associated with conducting classes at the Center.
5. The families of Inmates who move into the areas will generally be high service need families. Financially, this will be a problem. In addition, these families will bring in far less and impact our ability
Impacts from the families and employees are nearly impossible to predict in advance. Schools and communities in which the facilities have been constructed in the past don t have the same demographics as this area and it is likely that the impacts will be different here than elsewhere.
Given the timetables established by the DOC, it is impossible to test the theories and assumptions before making a proposal.
Please contact me at your earliest convenience to begin negotiations.
Schools in this region need the assurance that the DOC is going to deal openly and collaboratively to resolve the issues described above.
Sincerely,
Mark E. Jacobson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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September 18, 1998
State of Washington
Department of Corrections
P.O. Box 41101
Olympia, WA 98504
Dear Sirs,
RE: Request for One-Time Impact Funding
The purpose of this letter is to encourage you to approve the request for One-Time Impact Fundingý from the seventeen school districts impacted by the Stafford Creek Corrections Center. Schools are requesting the following:
| Compensation for Impact to Assessed Valuation | $411,616,804 |
| Safety and Security for Students, Staff, and Public | 3,765,650 |
| Educational Services for Behavioral Disabled Students | 507,840 |
| Basic and Special Education Services to Inmates (If required) | 826,890 |
| TOTAL REQUEST | $416,717,184 |
While each of the items above are vital, the issue of safety is critical.
According to the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, the crime rate rose in almost every area where a correctional facility was added. In addition, the EIS reports that the area will be impacted by in-migrant familiesý who move to the area to work or be near the Corrections Center. Due to the construction of the Stafford Creek Correctional Facility, there is a real concern for the safety of our schools. Because of this, schools in the region are asking you to provide one-time impact funding to add/improve safety and security in order to protect our students, staff, and the community who use our schools.
In addition, schools in the region request that we mitigate the impact on the Small School Funding Formula, Special Education Relief, and School Facilities. Thank you in advance for your consideration. If you have any questions or wish to discuss these matters further, please call.
Sincerely,
Mark E. Jacobson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
OCOSTA SCHOOL DISTRICT
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September 18, 1998
Schools are an integral part of the environment that must be considered in the Stafford Creek Corrections Center. The environmental impact statement (EIS) must discuss the direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of the Project on school facilities (WAC 197-11-060[4]). This discussion must be adequate and accurate (WAC 197-11-440[6][e]); WAC 197-11-060[4][c]).
Unfortunately, after reviewing the EIS, several errors were discovered that need to be addressed. A more thorough review may reveal others. Ocosta School District is conferring with legal counsel in respect to these errors and may seek to resolve these issues at some future date if the EIS is not revised so that it fully and accurately describes the Project s impacts on schools and more specifically, Ocosta School District and the City of Westport. The errors that stand out most notably are listed below. On behalf of the public schools in the Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties, it is imperative that the DOC meet with and negotiate a process to determine the impacts listed below and agree on the terms to adequately resolve these issues.
1. The draft EIS stated that the two primary determinants of location patterns included the distance each town was from the site and the town s population.ý The report incorrectly indicated that the City of Westport was 30-miles from the Stafford Creek Corrections Center. In reality, the City of Westport is 15 miles from the Center.
The gravity model used to allocate employee residences to local jurisdictions (GH-43 and 44) appears to use incorrect mileage to local jurisdictions, does not address the fact that the facility is located within Ocosta School District, and does not model the decision-making of future employees. Within the school district are numerous residential opportunities that would be particularly appealing to the management and professional employee population of the Center. We believe other modeling should be presented that account for the nature of the surrounding communities including sampling the employee populations of other state correctional facilities.
The EIS indicates that the only school districts impacted would be Hoquiam and Aberdeen. The report is incorrect. The study focus on these two communities and schools failing to take into consideration the correct distance to Westport and the fact that the Stafford Creek Corrections Center is located entirely within the boundaries of Ocosta School District. This is a major error. The direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of the Project on the City of Westport and Ocosta School District were not addressed as per WAC 197-11-060(4) and the discussion in the EIS is not adequate and accurate as per WAC 197-11-440(6)(e) and/or WAC 197-11-060(4)(c).
2. In the draft environmental impact statement, Westport Shipyard isn t listed. However, when compared with the companies listed, the Shipyard would rank third with a work force of 275 on site. According to Westport Shipyard s Vice President, Larry Nelson, the shipyard may expand soon to over 300 making them the second largest employer in Grays Harbor County.
3. Ocosta School District may be required to provide Basic Education services to Inmates under eighteen and Special Education services to Inmates under twenty-one. This was not addressed in the EIS. This service may be required on site requiring special class sizes, scheduling, staff training, travel, staff supervision, and modifications to the school district s certificated staff contract. The state reimbursement formula does not provide for additional services. If these services are required, the additional costs must be negotiated between Ocosta School District and the DOC.
4. School districts will be required to provide transportation for both the regular and Special Education students generated as a result of this project. Reimbursement for the additional costs must be negotiated between the affected school districts and the DOC.
5. Portable classrooms are not an appropriate mitigation for the permanent impacts of school enrollment growth due to the correctional facility. The draft EIS states that the correctional facility will employ 635 FTE, induce 451 related jobs (which we assume includes jobs related to businesses located within the correctional facility) and house 1,936 inmates many of whose families will relocate to Ocosta School District in order to be near their spouses. We assume one quarter of prisoners will have families living in the area, or 484 families. The impact of the correctional facility will be 1,580 residences. As the host school district, we assume that one-third of these residences will be within the service area of Ocosta School District, or 527 residences. The average number of students residing in a new residence is 0.68 students. The resulting impact on Ocosta School District is therefore 358 students. These estimates must be revised with each of the school districts in this region. Our analysis indicates that the average cost of providing school facilities for additional students is $30,000 per student. The impact of the projected 358 additional students is approximately $10,750,000.
6. The most significant impact on Ocosta School District is on the operational budget for the district. The district currently has an assessed valuation for tax basis of $411,616,804 for the current enrollment of around 830 students. The current tax rate is $3.58 per $1,000. The District estimates that the projected 527 new residences will increase the assessment only $31,620,000 (527 times an average assessment of $60,000). The 358 projected new students will require an annual subsidy of $413,554 in order to maintain current spending per child without increasing the current tax rate.
7. The in-migration of employees is understated. It is believed that local residents working in the Center will leave lower paying jobs, which will then be filled by people who will move in from outside the community. The EIS doesn t take into consideration the in-migrantý population that will take positions vacated by residents who are hired by the Corrections Center.
How many of the resident hires will vacate positions in our communities that will be filled by in-migrants? The people who fill these positions will not appear to be connected to the facility but will still be a direct result.
The only positions that will not result in in-migrantý will be people who are hired who are currently unemployed and living in the community.
8. The EIS did not take into consideration the attractiveness of the community and the desirability of relocating to a particular area.
In addition to the problems identified with the EIS above, the district has contacted a number of school districts both in the state of Washington and in other states who have been affected by the construction of correctional facilities. Based on this information, it is clear that the number of households associated with the inmate population will be higher than estimated in the EIS and requests that additional analysis be conducted on this issue. Since the EIS failed to include Ocosta School District, the projections are not available. However, it is critical that we discuss and agree on the numbers before moving ahead.
The EIS must discuss reasonable mitigation measures that would significantly mitigate the project s impact on the environment (WAC 197-11-440(6)(a); WAC 197-11-440(6)(c).
Mitigationý means:
1. Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action;
2. Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation, by using appropriate technology, or by taking affirmative steps to avoid or reduce impacts;
3. Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environments;
4. Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action;
5. Compensating for the impact by replacing, enhancing, or providing substitute resources or environments; and/or,
6. Monitoring the impact and taking appropriate corrective measures.
The EIS identifies measures that could be used to address the impacts of the Project on the school districts and suggests that the addition of portable classrooms will mitigate the Projects impact. As stated above, portables are not an appropriate mitigation for the permanent impacts of school enrollment growth due to the correctional facility. The impact on Ocosta School District was not included in the EIS.
Classrooms must be supported by core facilities such as lunch rooms, rest rooms, library facilities, and other support services such as Special Education, Title I, counselors, school psychologists, etc. The addition of portable classrooms does not mitigate the impact additional students require. Portable classrooms also need to be connected to the building fire alarm system, intercom, water/sewer, and the internet. Further, portables are not a long-term solution.
In addition to the problems with the EIS, there are other issues that have not been addressed. The public schools in Grays Harbor and Pacific County request that negotiations be scheduled to deal with the following items:
1. The Small School Funding Formula - Several of the school districts in the region may actually lose their small school funding if their enrollments grow due to the Stafford Creek Corrections Center. The DOC and school district must determine a process to be used to determine if enrollment is caused by in-migrantsý moving to the area to work in, support, or be near the Correction Center.
2. Special Education Funding Relief - The state currently funds school districts based on 12.7% of the school districts enrollment. However, many of the school districts in this region are over the 12.7% cap. Ocosta School District, for example, is currently serving over 17% of the students enrolled in the school. The DOC and school districts need to develop a process to determine if in-migrantý populations impact our schools. If there is an impact, an impact fee should be provided.
3. Facilities - Some school districts in the region may be faced with adding facilities in order to meet enrollment increases due to in-migrant growth. The DOC needs to negotiate a process to monitor growth attributable to the Corrections Center with school districts in the region.
4. Basic Education and Special Education Services to Inmates - It has been reported that schools with correction facilities located within their respective school district boundaries have recently been sued for not providing Basic Education services to Inmates under eighteen and Special Education services to Inmates under age twenty-one. We wish to notify you that the district will expect the DOC to meet and fund any of the remedies established as a result of this class-action suit in order for Ocosta School District to provide the necessary educational services at the Center. If the DOC refuses, the DOC is asked to hold harmless, defend, and indemnify Ocosta School District and its agents from any current and/or future claims filed by or on behalf of any inmates for Basic or Special Education services.
If it is determined that Basic and Special Education services must be provided at the Corrections Center, Ocosta School District requests sufficient advance notice to advertise, screen, interview, and employ the staff necessary to meet the education needs of inmates who will qualify for said services. In addition, the DOC is asked to make classroom space available to the Ocosta School District in order to comply with state and federal laws and any remedies resulting from the lawsuit.
Ocosta School District has completed a one-time impactý request.
However, this will be an on-going expense for both the school district and the DOC if it is determined that educational services must be provided. The DOC and representatives from Ocosta School District need to begin meeting immediately to review the DOC s plans for classroom space, equipment, etc.
The school district wants input into the design of the classroom space to be certain that it meets the needs of the Special Education and Basic Education programs that must be offered at the Corrections Center. In addition, we will need to work out details such as access to the classrooms by school district employees, employee safety, and other issues associated with conducting classes at the Center.
5. The families of Inmates who move into the areas will generally be high service need families. Financially, this will be a problem. In addition, these families will bring in far less and impact our ability
Impacts from the families and employees are nearly impossible to predict in advance. Schools and communities in which the facilities have been constructed in the past don t have the same demographics as this area and it is likely that the impacts will be different here than elsewhere.
Given the timetables established by the DOC, it is impossible to test the theories and assumptions before making a proposal.
Please contact me at your earliest convenience to begin negotiations.
Schools in this region need the assurance that the DOC is going to deal openly and collaboratively to resolve the issues described above.
Sincerely,
Mark E. Jacobson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Below is a news announcement prepared and forwarded to all superintendents within a 50-mile radius of Stafford Creek Corrections Center requesting them to make similar news announcements in their area.
MEMO
TO: Area Newspapers
FROM: Mark Jacobson
DATE: 9-18-98
SUBJECT: Stafford Creek Corrections Center Impacts Area Schools
As you may be aware, the Department of Corrections (DOC) is constructing a 1,936-bed correctional facility in Grays Harbor County. Grays Harbor County, in conjunction with the City of Aberdeen and a consortium of school districts, have been working together with the DOC since early 1994 to identify impacts associated with the Stafford Creek Corrections Center as they relate to services provided or to be provided by the community.
The purpose of this letter is to seek your support by asking you to place an article(s) in your paper encouraging community members to write to the DOC in support of our area schools including Aberdeen, Cosmopolis, Elma, Hoquiam, McCleary, Montesano, North Beach, Oakville, Ocosta, Satsop, Taholah, Quinault, Wishkah Valley, North River, Raymond, South Bend and Willapa Valley. Since I am only addressing the impact and request of the schools in our region, you may want to contact Grays Harbor County, the City of Aberdeen, and the South Beach Parks and Recreation District for information concerning their requests.
The DOC must discuss reasonable mitigation measures that would significantly mitigate the Stafford Creek Corrections Center s impact on the environment. Since some of these terms were unfamiliar to me until recently, I would like to clarify a couple of them for you.
The term environmentý is used in a broad sense and includes any/all local, county and community services such as police, fire, county services, judicial, education (schools), parks, etc.
The term Mitigationý means:
1. Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action;
2. Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation, by using appropriate technology, or by taking affirmative steps to avoid or reduce impacts;
3. Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environments;
4. Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action;
5. Compensating for the impact by replacing, enhancing, or providing substitute resources or environments; and/or,
6. Monitoring the impact and taking appropriate corrective measures.
One-Time Impact Costs (WAC 137-12A-050(2): These are economic impacts associated with locating a correctional facility within the boundaries of the community. These impacts typically include capital or other up-front costs incurred by the community, such as improvements to roads and highways, fire fighting equipment, police cars, additional staff requirements, etc.
These impacts also may include criminal justice costs, and social service and human service costs. WAC 137-12A-050(2). DOC policy is to pay one-time cost impacts as they are incurred, not in a single up-front lump sum payment.
Any political subdivision can negotiate with the DOC to obtain an agreed lump sum payment for foreseeable impacts. After a lump sum payment is agreed to by DOC, the DOC policy is to make payments from the agreed amount in the form of reimbursements after actual expenditures. Any political subdivision also may still be compensated for impacts not mitigated for in the one-time lump sum impact payment. The burden is on the community to prove that the impact occurred and was not included in the initial mitigation package. If, however, the community can prevail on this threshold determination, the community will receive payment so long as it applies for payment in the same state fiscal biennium in which the impact occurred (WAC 137-12A-030). Funding in any case is available only if the legislature appropriates funds for this purpose (WAC 137-12A-090).
The DOC was provided with the Request for One-Time Impact Fundingý from Grays Harbor County, the City of Aberdeen, the South Beach Parks and Recreation District, and the consortium of school districts on Monday, September 14, 1998. We are now seeking your support in getting information to community members throughout the region. Please run an article in the paper concerning the request submitted by area schools. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the superintendent in the school in your area or me. The information is as follows (please feel free to revise to fit your needs):
Schools within a 50-mile radius of the Stafford Creek Corrections Center are asking for your support. A Request for One-Time Impact Fundingý was submitted to the Department of Corrections (DOC) on 9-14-98. While no school in the state of Washington has ever received any impact funding from the DOC, things have changed in the past few years which supports the request submitted by our area schools.
While each of the items above are vital, the issue of safety is critical.
The concern over safe schools and for student safety has never been greater in our history. According to the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, the crime rate rose in almost every area where a correctional facility was added. In addition, the EIS reports that the area will be impacted by the influx of families who move to the area to work or be near the Corrections Center. Due to the construction of the Stafford Creek Correctional Facility, there is a real concern for the safety of our schools. Because of this, the seventeen school districts in our region are asking the Department of Corrections to provide one-time impact funding to add/improve safety and security in order to protect our students, staff, and the community who use our schools. These funds could be used to add fencing, cameras, improve lighting, add/replace doors, locks, or to address any safety and/or security problem as determined by the school involved.
Impact funds for safety/security have been requested as follows:
| SCHOOL | # OF | # OF | $42,100 | $7,650 |
| DISTRICT | BLDGS | PORTABLES | PER BLDG | PER PORTABLE |
| Grays Harbor Co. | ||||
| Aberdeen | 20 | 0 | $842,000 | $0 |
| Cosmopolis | 1 | 0 | $42,100 | $0 |
| Elma | 11 | 3 | $463,100 | $22,950 |
| Hoquiam | 6 | 0 | $252,600 | $0 |
| McCleary | 2 | 1 | $84,200 | $7,650 |
| Montesano | 3 | 4 | $126,300 | $30,600 |
| North Beach | 4 | 3 | $168,400 | $22,950 |
| Oakville | 3 | 0 | $126,300 | $0 |
| Ocosta | 4 | 6 | $168,400 | $45,900 |
| Satsop | 1 | 0 | $42,100 | $0 |
| Taholah | 1 | 0 | $42,100 | $0 |
| Quinault | 1 | 2 | $42,100 | $15,300 |
| WishkahValley | 4 | 0 | $168,400 | $0 |
| Pacific Co. | ||||
| North River | 5 | 0 | $210,500 | $0 |
| Raymond | 3 | 0 | $126,300 | $0 |
| South Bend | 2 | 0 | $84,200 | $0 |
| Willapa Valley | 3 | 0 | $126,300 | $0 |
| SUB-TOTALS | 74 | 19 | $3,115,400 | $145,350 |
Bus Garage/Transportation/Maintenance Bldg. Security in 17 Districts:
| 17 VCR's | $6,500 | $110,500 |
| Cameras | $5,000 | $85,000 |
| Lenses | $2,200 | $37,400 |
| Monitor | $900 | $15,300 |
| Wiring & Installation | $3,100 | $52,700 |
| Fence/Gates/Doors | $12,000 | $204,000 |
| Sub-total | $504,900 | |
| GRAND TOTAL = | $3,765,650 |
The DOC has been informed that the schools are willing to negotiate each of the items as we were not provided ample notice as to when the Request for One-Time Fundsý were due and had little time to put together the requests.
Schools are also requesting the DOC to provide $507,840 for a Behavioral Disabled classroom for schools in the region. According to the Final Supplemental EIS dated April 28, 1997, the area will be impacted by in-migrantý families who move to the area to work in or be near the Corrections Center. Public schools within a 50-mile radius are requesting funds to be used specifically for serving behavioral disabled studentsý at a central site. Virtually all of the seventeen public schools within a 50-mile radius of Stafford Creek Corrections Center are at or above the state funding cap of 12.7% on Special Education. Therefore, no additional Special Education funds will be provided by the state. Therefore, in order to meet the needs of these students, additional funding will be required and necessary. In addition, the public schools will be requesting on-goingý impact fees to continue services to these students.
Behavioral Disabled Program 24 full-time or 48 half-time students
| Estimated | Estimated | ||
| Salary | Benefits | Total | |
| 3 FTE Certified Teachers (12-mo) | $176,517 | $65,311 | $241,828 |
| 6 FTE Assistants (12-mo) | $126,996 | $46,989 | $173,985 |
| 0.2 FTE Administrative Units | $10,206 | $3,776 | $13,982 |
| 1 FTE Secretary | $27,040 | $10,005 | $37,045 |
| Supplies ($500 per student) | $12,000 | ||
| Services (rent, phones, counseling, etc.) | $18,000 | ||
| Travel | $1,000 | ||
| Equipment | $10,000 | ||
| Total | $507,840 |
Ken Hoover, the Assistant Superintendent from Aberdeen School District could best answer questions in this area.
Appropriate classroom space may have to be provided on-site at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center to allow Ocosta School District to provide educational opportunities for Inmates under the age of eighteen and Special Education services to Inmates under the age of twenty-one years-of-age as per state and federal laws (RCW 28A.150.210 - .220, Chapter 28A.155 RCW and Chapter 392-171 WAC). Ocosta School District is requesting that classrooms be constructed, equipped and maintained at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center by the Department of Corrections. The classrooms must be ready for use before the Corrections Center opens if it is determined that the DOC and/or school district must provide these services.
Since Ocosta School District currently exceeds the state s Special Education funding limit of 12.7%, the Department of Corrections is requested to pay for all Special Education services provided to Inmates under the age of twenty-one years of age. It is estimated that eight (8) Basic Education classrooms and four (4) Special Education Classrooms will be required. If the DOC does not fund this request, Ocosta School District requests that the DOC agree not to place any inmates at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center who are (1) under twenty-one years-of-age and qualify for Special Education Services or (2) under the age of eighteen. The Ocosta School District will be requesting funding on an on-going basisý for Basic and Special Education Services. Further, if the DOC refuses to agree to provide the space, funds and services as requested (and if required), the DOC defend and hold harmless the Ocosta School District and its agents against any/all claims and/or lawsuits made by or on behalf of any inmate(s) in respect to these services.
The DOC and school districts with correctional facilities located within their school district boundaries are being sued for not providing educational services to inmates. This suit may impact Ocosta School District and therefore, school officials are seeking assurance that the DOC will pay any costs associated with these services. If services must be provided, it is estimated that the school district will spend $826,890 to offer services above and beyond what the school will generate in state educational funds.
Estimates are based on the following:
1,936 Inmates
20% Under 21
35% Special Education
135.52 Total Inmates Who May Qualify/Receive Special Education Services
3.872 FTE's (35 Inmates = 1 FTE Classroom or 8 FTE Sp Ed Students)
4 Classrooms Rounded off
| Estimated | Estimated | ||
| Salary | Benefits | Total | |
| 4 Fully Equipped Classroom at the Corrections Center at no cost to Ocosta School District |
|||
| 4 FTE Certified Teachers (12-mo) | $235,356 | $87,082 | $322,438 |
| 8 FTE Assistants (12-mo) | $169,328 | $62,651 | $231,979 |
| 0.8 FTE Administrative Units | $40,823 | $15,105 | $55,928 |
| 1 FTE Secretary | $27,040 | $10,005 | $37,045 |
| Estimated Supplies, materials, travel | $179,500 | $179,500 | |
| Total | $826,890 |
The operational budget of the Ocosta School District will be impacted.
According to an analysis conducted by Jeffrey L. Green, AIA, CEFPI, Greene Gasaway Architects, the Ocosta School District currently has an assessed valuation of $411,616,804 based on the 1997/98 enrollment of around 830 students. The current tax rate is $3.58 per $1,000. The District estimates that the projected 527 new residences will increase the assessment only $31,620,000 (527 times an average assessment of $60,000). The 358 projected new students will require an annual subsidy of $413,554 in order to maintain current spending per child without increasing the current tax rate. The district is willing to negotiate the projected number of new residences but emphasizes that the EIS was flawed and failed to consider the fact that the Stafford Creek Corrections Center is being constructed within Ocosta School District boundaries. Further, the EIS gravity model used to allocate employee residences to local jurisdictions (GH-43 and 44) appears to use incorrect mileage to local jurisdictions. The City of Westport is approximately 15 miles from the Stafford Creek Corrections Center and not 30 as indicated in the report. Ocosta School District believes that other modeling should be presented that accounts for the nature of the surrounding communities and the correct distance to services and is asking for $411,616,804 to compensate for the impact on the school district as calculated by Jeffrey L. Green.
In addition, schools in the region request that the DOC mitigate the impact on the Small School Funding Formula, Special Education Relief, and School Facilities. Each of these areas may have a major impact on the seventeen school districts in our region. Local tax payers should not be required to pay for the impact caused by the Stafford Creek Correctional Facility.
If you wish to express your opinion concerning this information, you may write to the Department of Corrections at:
State of Washington
Department of Corrections
P.O. Box 41101
Olympia, WA 98504
Summary of Requests:
| Compensation for Impact to Assessed Valuation | $411,616,804 |
| Safety and Security for Students, Staff, and Public | 3,765,650 |
| Educational Services for Behavioral Disabled Students | 507,840 |
| Basic and Special Education Services to Inmates (If required) | 826,890 |
| TOTAL REQUEST | $416,717,184 |
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