The other day I stopped to reflect upon all the issues that we need to resolve as a District over the next couple of years. (See below as I listed as many as I could think of). I started listing these issues in my head and thought about all the time and effort that we are going to put into these decisions. It made me think about a story that I heard recently in a seminar.
The story was about a plane flight in Southern Florida several years ago. Apparently, in this particular plane there were three pilots (two co-pilots and a Captain). As they were approaching Miami International airport and were preparing to land, one of the pilots noticed that one of the four red landing gear lights was not on or was not working. As the plane was about 15 minutes from landing, the pilots decided they had better figure out what was going on. Was the light malfunctioning? or Was the landing gear not functioning correctly? They could not land if the landing gear was not functioning correctly. That would risk the lives of the 159 passengers on board.
So, the pilots radioed the air traffic controller to ask for a flight pattern that would allow them to circle the airport to give them time to figure out what was happening. The air traffic controller responded by giving them a path around the airport where they were to maintain 2, 000 feet. Over the next fifteen minutes the "black box" recorded various sounds of movement and some conversations about how to determine if the light was malfunctioning and everything was OK or if there were serious problems with the landing gear. The listener could hear various movements, including wires being tugged, instruments being bumped, etc...
During this time, the pilots did not realize that one of them accidentally hit the flight controller and the plane's elevation dropped to a dangerous 200 feet and continued to descend. Right before the plane crashed in the Everglades, the air traffic controller was heard asking if everyone on the flight was OK.
The point of this story is to highlight that even though we have a host of issues, we need to keep our eyes on helping students grow. We can not get caught paying so much attention to all the issues that plague education that we forget about our students. It is my hope that this does not occur in any District.
Issues that I have been thinking about as of 10/02/12
1. Fiscal crises -- How can we continue to deficit spend more than $1, 000, 000 a year which will deplete all our reserves in a few years? Is this proper stewardship of public funds?
2. How far should we "cut" programs? Should we consider "cutting": business, art, technology, music, athletics, activities, academically talented, etc...?
3. Should the BOE attempt to pass a referendum? Should the BOE attempt to sell Working Cash Bonds?
4. If the BOE, does try to pass a referendum, who will begin the process of organizing a Referendum Committee?
5. What should we name our buildings next year? Should we all schools have the same mascot and colors?
6. We need to have School Improvement Plans for all our buildings and a District Improvement Plan done by the end of this year.
7. How are we going to implement the Common Core Standards in our District?
8. Who are we going to hire for our HS Principal and Special Services Director position and can we ensure the new individuals are given enough assistance for a smooth transition?
9. How will the new Board Members transition to being a Board member?
10. Who will the BOE appoint to fill the vacant BOE seat?
11. Are we making sure we are doing everything that we can to provide a smooth transition to grade centers for next year?
12. When do we notify teachers where they will be teaching next year? Remembering, that some teachers are likely going to be reduced as well.
13. How can we make the transition to the new teacher evaluation tool smooth(er)?
14. How can we notify the public about the current fiscal situation? How do we garner support?
15. What is going to happen in regards to the pension payments, transportation reimbursement, CPPRT funding, General State Aid and local property values?
16. When and will the economy rebound?
17. Who is going to be elected as the next President of the US?
18. How will ObamaCare affect our School District?
19. How can we incorporate a Wellness policy into our current healthcare?
20. How do we continue to improve technology with limited resources?
21. How do we maintain the new Athletic facility with limited resources?
22. Can the Illini football team win another game this year?
23. Will the Illini basketball team be any good this year?
24. Will the Bears make the play-offs?
25. What am I going to eat for dinner?
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
LOTS OF EXCITEMENT FOR A NEW SCHOOL YEAR!
LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER GREAT YEAR IN HERSCHER CUSD #2
The summer months were extremely busy in all the offices in the District. Our custodial and maintenance staff were busy cleaning the schools and doing many needed projects (building dugouts and a press box at the athletic complex and other projects). In addition to this, our secretaries were busy learning the various aspects of our student database system and then implementing all the data necessary for the school year. Our administrators undertook exhaustive training on the new State-mandated teacher evaluation process. I am extremely proud to say all our administrators have passed the (5) tests/modules that they had to take this summer. Unfortunately, not all Districts can say this!
We have many challenges to overcome and prepare for this year. One of main focuses will be to continue the process of aligning our curriculum to the Common Core Standards. This would include the creation of Curriculum Binders for each course/class, common assessments and frequent analysis of student progress. In addition to this, we will be implementing our new teacher performance appraisal system. Hopefully, this new evaluation tool will help our administrators help our teachers serve our students even better. Finally, we are hoping to continue to improve our technology across the District. Currently, all buildings have wireless capabilities which will give our students many new educational opportunities.
Meanwhile, we will also be preparing for the closing of Reddick Grade School at the conclusion of this school year. We will first look at student enrollment projections to determine the number of sections in each grade. This will then allow the administration to begin the process of assigning teachers to specific grades and buildings. Then, we can start to determine how and what we are going to move. Anyway, there is a lot of work to be done, but we will be working diligently to get this information out quickly, so we can make this transition as smooth as possible.
LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER GREAT YEAR IN HERSCHER CUSD #2
The summer months were extremely busy in all the offices in the District. Our custodial and maintenance staff were busy cleaning the schools and doing many needed projects (building dugouts and a press box at the athletic complex and other projects). In addition to this, our secretaries were busy learning the various aspects of our student database system and then implementing all the data necessary for the school year. Our administrators undertook exhaustive training on the new State-mandated teacher evaluation process. I am extremely proud to say all our administrators have passed the (5) tests/modules that they had to take this summer. Unfortunately, not all Districts can say this!
We have many challenges to overcome and prepare for this year. One of main focuses will be to continue the process of aligning our curriculum to the Common Core Standards. This would include the creation of Curriculum Binders for each course/class, common assessments and frequent analysis of student progress. In addition to this, we will be implementing our new teacher performance appraisal system. Hopefully, this new evaluation tool will help our administrators help our teachers serve our students even better. Finally, we are hoping to continue to improve our technology across the District. Currently, all buildings have wireless capabilities which will give our students many new educational opportunities.
Meanwhile, we will also be preparing for the closing of Reddick Grade School at the conclusion of this school year. We will first look at student enrollment projections to determine the number of sections in each grade. This will then allow the administration to begin the process of assigning teachers to specific grades and buildings. Then, we can start to determine how and what we are going to move. Anyway, there is a lot of work to be done, but we will be working diligently to get this information out quickly, so we can make this transition as smooth as possible.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Lack of Student Attendance Costs Our District Money
STUDENT ATTENDANCE: WHY IT MATTERS THAT YOUR CHILD IS IN SCHOOL?
Studies have consistently shown the many positive effects of student attendance at school. Students are more likely to get good grades, participate in school activities, grow socially and emotionally and have an overall positive education experience when they attend school regularly. Beside these important reasons, there are several financial reasons that schools encourage excellent daily attendance.
Every year Herscher CUSD #2 turns in a report to the State, known as the General State Aid request. Currently, our District is receiving almost 3 million dollars in General State Aid. One of the main factors in determining the amount of General State Aid that a District receives is ATTENDANCE. So, when your child misses school, our District loses General State Aid or frankly, money.
Specifically, the three best months of daily attendance is used to calculate an average of the District’s attendance. For Herscher CUSD #2, this number was 1947 students in 2008-2009, 1901 students in 2009-2010, 1870 students in 2010-2011 and 1830 students in 2011-2012. You can see that each year it has been decreasing. Now, some of this due to our decreasing enrollment, however some of this decrease is due to attendance as well.
EVERYTIME THIS NUMBER DECREASES BY JUST ONE STUDENT IT COSTS THE DISTRICT APPROXIMATELY $1, 475!!! (2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR).
Unfortunately, in order for the our District to count a student for full-day attendance they must be in attendance for 300 minutes or 6 hours (this does not count passing time, recess or lunch). So, doctor/dentist appointment or other reasons students may miss school can greatly affect the District’s potential revenue. Therefore, if you can make appointments or encourage your child to attend school it helps them and the District at the same time.
Please feel free to call or e-mail if you have any comments or questions. Thanks and have a great summer!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Superintendent's Message -- April
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE – LIFELONG LEARNING
One of the most important aspects of the job of Superintendent is to help create an environment of lifelong learning. I firmly believe that all individuals should continue to enhance themselves through some form of learning. It can be learning to dance, learning to can foods, learning how to change your oil, learning to sew or learning about leadership. With the idea of continued learning in mind, I have devoted time to what I call, professional reading.
Earlier this year, I shared one of the books in my professional reading closet with all the administrators in our District (Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell). On a monthly basis throughout the year, we have reviewed many of the concepts of the book and reflected on how these concepts affect our personal and private lives. Last month, I also gave a copy of the book to the Board of Education. It is my hope that we will begin to share the concepts that we read about with each other and as a result create an on-going learning environment. I believe this shared knowledge will help make all of us more knowledgeable and thus better leaders.
To this end, I would like to share a list of my own personal, professional reading with everyone. I am hopeful that you will not hesitate to make comments and/or share with me as well. Thanks and happy reading!
Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
SuperFreakonomics by Steven Leavitt and Stephen Dubner
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
The Greatest Saleman in the World by Og Mandino
The Rural Brain Drain by Patrick J. Barr and Maria J. Kefalas
Genius Denied by Jan and Bob Davidson
The Courage to Teach by Parker Palmer
The Art of Profiling by Dan Korem
Failure in Not an Option by Alan Blankstein
The Heart of Change by John P. Cotter
Encouraging the Heart by James Kouzes and Barry Posner
Drive by Daniel Pink
Flip by Daniel Pink
A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
Mindset: The New Psychology by Carol Dweck
The Wisdom of Crowds by James Surowiecki
The Speed of Trust by Stephen MR. Covey
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Servant Leadership by Robert Greenlief
The Honest Truth about Dishonesty by Dan Ariely
Monday, April 2, 2012
Superintendent's Message -- March
QUESTIONS FROM THE HERSCHER CUSD #2
PUBLIC FORUM ON MARCH 27, 2012
DRAFT VERSION
1. HOW DOES THE REDUCTION OF ADMINISTRATION ONLY SAVE $20, 000?
n THIS WAS JUST AN ESTIMATE, IF THE CURRENT PRINCIPAL WAS REPLACED WITH A ½ TIME ADMINISTRATOR OR WITH A PRINCIPAL WITH LESS EXPERIENCE.
n THERE COULD BE ADDITIONAL SAVINGS IF THE BOE DETERMINES THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO COMBINE A UNIT OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR AND A BUILDING PRINCIPAL POSITION.
2. WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL SAVINGS TO THE DISTRICT FOR THE THREE OPTIONS PRESENTED FOR RE-STRUCTURING?
n OPTION “A” TOTAL PROJECTED SAVINGS
RGS CLOSING – 230K
TRANSPORTATION ROUTES REDUCED – 100K
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES COMBINED – 100K
MUSIC SERVICES COMBINED – 50K
MEDIA SERVICES COMBINED – 25K
SOCIAL WORK SERVICES REDUCED – 5K
RTI/AT SERVICES REDUCED – 2K
REDUCTION OF JH ATHLETICS -- 10K
TOTAL – 522K
n OPTION “A” PROJECTED TRANSITION COSTS
NO MOBILE CLASSROOM(S) AT BGS NEEDED FOR THIS OPTION
UPGRADE BGS KITCHEN (OVENS, FREEZER, EQUIPMENT) – 25K
MOVING CLASSROOMS – 20K
MOVING PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT – 5K
COSTS ASSOCIATED KEEPING RGS CLEAN, ETC… -- 15K
NEW STATIONARY, ENVELOPES, ETC… -- 2K
ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE COSTS – 5K
POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL COMPUTER LAB – 30K
SMARTBOARD(S)/PROJECTOR(S) – 25K
TOTAL – 127K
n OPTION “B” TOTAL PROJECTED SAVINGS
RGS CLOSING – 230K
NO TRANSPORTATION ROUTES REDUCTION
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES COMBINED – 50K
NO MUSIC SERVICES COMBINED
MEDIA SERVICES COMBINED – 25K
NO SOCIAL WORK SERVICES REDUCED
NO RTI/AT SERVICES REDUCED
REDUCTION OF JH ATHLETICS -- 10K
TOTAL – 315K
n OPTION “B” PROJECTED TRANSITION COSTS
POSSIBLE MOBILE CLASSROOM(S) – 50K FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS
UPGRADE BGS KITCHEN (OVENS, FREEZER, EQUIPMENT) – 25K
MOVING CLASSROOMS – 20K
MOVING PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT – 5K
COSTS ASSOCIATED KEEPING RGS CLEAN, ETC… -- 15K
NEW STATIONARY, ENVELOPES, ETC… -- 2K
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE COSTS – 5K
POSSIBLY ADDITIONAL COMPUTER LAB – 30K
SMARTBOARD(S)/PROJECTOR(S) – 25K
TOTAL – 177K
n OPTION “C” TOTAL PROJECTED SAVINGS
RGS CLOSING – 230K
TRANSPORTATION ROUTES REDUCED – 100K
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES COMBINED – 100K
MUSIC SERVICES COMBINED – 50K
MEDIA SERVICES COMBINED – 25K
SOCIAL WORK SERVICES REDUCED (TRAVEL/SUPPLIES) – 5K
RTI/AT SERVICES REDUCED (TRAVEL/SUPPLIES) – 2K
REDUCTION OF JH ATHLETICS -- 10K
TOTAL – 522K
n OPTION “C” PROJECTED TRANSITION COSTS
NO MOBILE CLASSROOM(S) NEEDED AT BGS
UPGRADE NEEDED FOR BGS KITCHEN (OVENS, FREEZER, EQUIPMENT) – 10K
MOVING CLASSROOMS – 20K
MOVING PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT – 5K
COSTS ASSOCIATED KEEPING RGS CLEAN, ETC… -- 15K
NEW STATIONARY, ENVELOPES, ETC… -- 2K
ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE/HARDWARE COSTS – 5K
SMARTBOARD(S)/PROJECTOR(S) – 25K
ALTERING LOCKERS FOR SMALLER STUDENTS – 2K
n TOTAL – 84K
3. WHAT IS THE GOAL FOR THE BOE, IN REGARDS TO COST SAVINGS?
n THE BOE IS HOPING TO REDUCE THE CURRENT DEFICIT SPENDING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT HURTING SERVICES TO STUDENTS. AT THIS POINT, THERE HAS BEEN NO DISCUSSION ON A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT.
4. TO INCREASE REVENUE, IS IT POSSIBLE TO INCREASE ENROLLMENT FEES?
n YES. THE BOE HAS RECENTLY INCREASED THE DRIVER’S EDUCATION FEE. IN ADDITION, THE BOE IS AND WILL BE CONSIDERING RAISING MORE FEES IN THE FUTURE.
5. REGARDING TRANSPORTATION, WOULD PARENTS RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION FOR DRIVING THEIR STUDENTS TO SCHOOL?
n AT THIS POINT, THERE HAS BEEN NO DISCUSSION OF COMPENSATING PARENTS FOR DRIVING THEIR STUDENTS TO SCHOOL. THIS WILL BE HIGHLY UNLIKELY.
6. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DEAL WITH THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS TRAVELING 20-25 MILES TO SCHOOL?
n THE BOE/ADMINISTRATION/FACULTY CONSISTENTLY STRESS SAFETY FOR STUDENTS ON ALL OF OUR BUS ROUTES. THE DISTANCE TRAVELLED WILL NOT CHANGE OUR PRIORITY OF PROVIDING A SAFE AND SECURE BUS RIDE TO/FROM SCHOOL.
n DEPENDING UPON THE OPTION CHOSEN FOR RE-STRUCTURING, WE WOULD CONSIDER “STAGGERED” START TIMES FOR A COUPLE OF SCHOOLS. THE HOPE IS THAT THIS “STAGGERED” START AND ENDING TIMES WOULD REDUCE THE TIME ON THE BUS FOR OUR YOUNGEST STUDENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE MOST LIKELT SCENARIO WOULD BE THAT HGS AND HHS WOULD START AT THE SAME TIME. THE “STAGGERED” START WOULD BE FOR LGS AND BGS. THIS WOULD ENABLE THOSE STUDENTS TO BE PICKED UP ON THE SAME BUS ROUTES. MOST LIKELY BGS WOULD BEGIN SCHOOL 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO LGS AND COULD DISMISS 15 MINUTES LATER. THIS WOULD MEAN THE STUDENTS AT BGS WOULD BE ON THE BUS LESS TIME.
n WE ARE CURRENTLY TRANSPORTING SOME OF OUR STUDENTS 20-25 MILES NOW.
7. IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET LOCKERS FOR BGS OR LGS FROM RGS?
n YES. IN FACT, THIS IS SOMETHING WE ARE PLANNING ON DOING TO MINIMIZE COSTS. WE WILL ALSO PLAN ON BRINGING ALL SUPPLIES, COMPUTERS, BOOKS, ETC… FROM RGS IF IT IS CLOSED.
8. WITH THE GRADE CENTER OPTIONS, ARE STAGGERED TIMES BEING CONSIDERED?
n YES. WE ARE HOPING TO MINIMIZE THE TIME ON BUSSES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR OUR YOUNGEST STUDENTS. HOWEVER, THERE MAY NOT BE “STAGGERED” TIMES FOR ALL OUR BUILDINGS.
n SEE ANSWER TO QUESTION #6 FOR MORE DETAILS.
9. CAN WE CHARGE FEES FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE TRANSPORTED TO THE KANKAKEEE AREA CAREER CENTER, IN LIEU OF ALLOWING STUDENTS TO DRIVE?
n YES. THIS WILL BE AN OPTION THE BOE WILL BE CONSIDERING IN THE FUTURE.
10. IF OPTION “C” IS CHOSEN, WILL 2ND-4TH GRADERS RIDE THE BUS WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS?
n YES. THIS IS OCCURRING RIGHT NOW IN PART OF OUR DISTRICT.
11. IS THERE A PROJECTED TIMEFRAME THAT STUDENTS WILL BE ON THE BUS?
n DEPENDING ON THE ROUTE AND WHERE ON THE ROUTE YOUR HOUSE IS LOCATED WILL DETERMINE THE LENGTH OF TIME ON THE BUS. IT IS THE GOAL OF THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AT THE DIRECTION OF THE BOE TO LIMIT STUDENT TIME ON THE BUS TO 60 MINUTES OR LESS. NOW, IF THE WEATHER IS NOT CO-OPERATING, THIS TIME MAY BE INCREASED SOME DAYS, IN ORDER TO ENSURE SAFETY.
12. ARE ASSISTANT COACHES PAID POSITIONS? IF SO, WHY ARE WE NOT CONSIDERING “CUTTING” THESE POSITIONS?
n YES, ASSISTANT COACHES ARE PAID POSITIONS. THE BOE IS CONSIDERING A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN ALL EXTRA-CURRICULARS WHICH INCLUDES ASSISTANT COACHES.
n CURRENTLY, OUR ASSISTANT COACHING STIPENDS RANGE FROM A LOW OF $1, 500 TO $6, 000 DEPENDING UPON THE SPORT AND THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COACH. SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE (1) COACH EARNING $6, 000 PER SEASON. MOST OF THE OTHERS EARN BETWEEN $1, 500 AND $3, 000 A SEASON. MOST COACHES SPEND A MINIMUM OF 240 HOURS A SEASON DEDICATED TO WORKING WITH STUDENTS. WITH THIS IN MIND THE LOWEST PAID ARE RECEIVING APPROXIMATELY $6.25/HOUR AND THE MAJORITY OF OUR ASSISTANT COACHES ARE EARNING APPROXIMATELY $10.41/HOUR.
13. HAS THE BOE CONSIDERED ELIMINATING OR REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS?
n YES. THE BOE HAS REDUCED (2) ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS IN THE LAST YEAR. ONE POSITION HAS BEEN REDUCED AT HGS AND ONE POSITION HAS BEEN REDUCED AT HHS.
n THE BOE IS ALSO CONSIDERING REDUCING ADMINISTRATION FURTHER.
14. IF 63% OF OUR STUDENTS LIVE IN THE BONFIELD/LIMESTONE AREA, WHY ARE WE CONSIDERING BUSSING SO MANY SMALL CHILDREN SUCH A LONG WAY TO HERSCHER AND/OR LIMESTONE? WOULD NOT THAT COST MORE MONEY?
n BASED UPON OUR CURRENT ANALYSIS OF COMMUNITY SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION VERSUS GRADE CENTER TRANSPORTATION, WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE COST FOR BOTH OF THESE OPTIONS IS SIMILAR. IN OTHER WORDS, THE NET RESULT IS THERE IS NOT A COST SAVINGS OR ADDITIONAL COST FOR TRANSPORTATION FOR GRADE CENTERS OR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.
n HOWEVER, IT WILL COST SIGNIFICANTLY MORE IN SALARIES IN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BECAUSE WE WILL NEED MORE TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM. GRADE CENTERS WILL ALLOW CLASSROOM SIZES TO BE THE SAME FOR ALL STUDENTS IN A PARTICULAR GRADE. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW THE DISTRICT TO COMBINE NUMEROUS EDUCATIONAL AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR SERVICES WHICH WILL ALSO BE A SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS (SPECIAL EDUCATION, SOCIAL WORK, MUSIC, ATHLETICS, RTI AND MORE).
15. REGARDING OPTION “C”, WHAT WILL DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF THE 2ND -5TH (OR 4TH) GRADE?
n WE ARE CURRENTLY DETERMINING WHICH LOCATION HAS BETTER FACILITIES (SIZE, EQUIPMENT, ATHLETIC FACILITIES).
n WE ARE WEIGHING THE TRANSPORTATION COSTS OF PUTTING THE JUNIOR HIGH IN ONE LOCATION OVER THE OTHER. (IS IT LESS EXPENSIVE TO BUS 63% OF THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION TO HGS OR IS IT LESS EXPENSIVE TO BUS LESS STUDENTS TO LGS?) THESE ARE QUESTIONS OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT IS WORKING ON GETTING ANSWERED.
n WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY AT THE TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
n WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE HALLWAYS AND THE ABILITY OF EACH BUILDING TO HOST 450-650 STUDENTS.
n WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT THE SCIENCE LABS IN BOTH BUILDINGS. IF WE ARE EDUCATING ALL OF OUR JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS AT ONE BUILDING, DOES ONE LOCATION HAVE BETTER LABS COMPARED TO THE OTHER?
n WE ARE ALSO TRYING TO DETERMINE WHICH LOCATION IS THE BEST FOR THE LONG TERM.
n IN ADDITION THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS THAT BECOME CONCERNS ON A DAILY BASIS.
16. WHEN IS THE BOE GOING TO CONSIDER SELLING THE EXCESS FARMLAND BEYOND THE NEW SPORTS COMPLEX?
n THE BOE HAS NOT CONSIDERED THIS CONCEPT TO DATE. CURRENTLY, THE DISTRICT IS RECEIVING MORE MONEY FROM CASH RENTING THE LAND THEN IF WE HAD INVESTED THE MONEY IN A BANK DUE TO THE LOW INTEREST RATES. SELLING THE LAND WOULD PROVIDE A TEMPORARY INFUSION OF MONEY, BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO THE CURRENT FINANCIAL ISSUES OF THE DISTRICT.
17. DO YOU HAVE ESTIMATES FOR TRANSITION COSTS? HOW WILL WE FUND THESE EXPENSES?
n YES. SEE QUESTION #2
18. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BUILDING IN REDDICK IF IT IS CLOSED?
n THE BOE HAS NOT DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE TO DATE. HOWEVER, AT SOME POINT THE BOE WILL MOST LIKELY PUT THE SCHOOL UP FOR SALE. DURING THIS TIME, THE DISTRICT WILL STILL MAINTAIN THE BUILDING.
n IF THE BOE CHOOSES TO CLOSE RGS, THIS TOPIC WILL BE DISCUSSED SHORTLY THEREAFTER.
19. WILL THIS CHANGE BE A LASTING CHANGE? IN OTHER WORDS, WILL THE DISTRICT BE RE-ORGANIZING IN 10 YEARS?
n IT IS THE INTENT AND DESIRE OF THE BOE THAT THE DECISION ON RE-STRUCTURING WILL BE A PERMANENT DECISION. HOWEVER, IF OUR ENROLLMENT DECREASES OR INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY, THE BOE MAY HAVE TO RE-VISIT THIS ISSUE. THE ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS SHOW A SLOW DECLINING ENROLLMENT STOPPING AROUND 1500-1600 STUDENTS. IF THIS PROJECTION CONTINUES TO HOLD TRUE, THE RE-STRUCTURING OPTION CHOSEN BY THE BOE WILL NOT NEED TO BE CHANGED.
20. SHOULD WE SPLIT THE DISTRICT? WOULD THIS SAVE MONEY?
n IT IS EXTREMELY UNLIKELY THAT SPLITTING THE DISTRICT WILL SAVE MONEY, OVERALL. IN FACT, IT MORE LIKELY THAT THIS WILL COST TAXPAYERS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THIS WILL NOT BE A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT.
21. HOW DO WE DETERMINE THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE RE-STRUCTURING DECISION ON LOCAL PROPERTY VALUES?
n THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ANSWER. ONE SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO CONTACT REALTORS TO FIND OUT WHAT THEIR THOUGHTS ARE ABOUT YOUR PARTICULAR LOCATION IN THE DISTRICT AND THE POTENTIAL RE-STRUCTURING OPTIONS.
n IN ADDITION TO THIS, IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHAT PROPERTY VALUES WOULD BE, NO MATTER WHAT ACTION THE BOE TAKES.
22. WHAT ARE THE LAWS FOR CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS ON HOW LONG THEY CAN BE ON A BUS?
n CURRENTLY, THERE ARE NO STATE/FEDERAL LAWS THAT DICTATE OR STIPULATE THE TIME A STUDENT CAN BE ON A BUS. THIS IS A LOCAL ISSUE.
23. ARE STUDENTS WHO DRIVE TO SCHOOL CHARGED A FEE FOR PARKING?
n YES. THAT FEE IS $25.
24. DID YOU COMPARE TRANSPORTATION COSTS PRIOR TO THE GRADE CENTERS BEING IMPLEMENTED SIX OR SEVEN YEARS AGO?
n WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THIS ANALYSIS. HOWEVER, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE ACCURATE SAVINGS/COSTS BECAUSE GAS PRICES AND OTHER EXPENSES HAVE RISEN SIGNIFICANTLY. ALSO, OTHER REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN ADDED IN THE LAST SIX TO SEVEN YEARS.
n IN ADDITION TO THIS, THE FUNDING FOR TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER AREAS HAVE BEEN REDUCED FROM THE STATE WHICH CAUSES MORE ISSUES. HOWEVER, WE ARE PLANNING ON FOCUSING ON THE NUMBER OF MILES TRAVELLED TO SEE HOW MUCH IT VARIES FROM THE GRADE CENTER CONCEPT TO THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CONCEPT.
25. WHY CAN’T THE STUDENTS IN BONFIELD, LIMESTONE AND HERSCHER GO THROUGH ALL THEIR YEARS OF GRADE SCHOOL IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES?
n THE BOE WOULD LOVE TO PROVIDE A K-8 SCHOOL IN EVERY COMMUNITY IN THE DISTRICT. HOWEVER, IT IS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE. THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF COST SAVINGS WHEN YOU COMBINE RESOURCES.
26. WHAT IS THE COST FOR MAINTAINING REDDICK GRADE SCHOOL IF IT IS CLOSED?
n IN ORDER TO KEEP THE SCHOOL PROPERLY MAINTAINED WE ARE PLANNING ON KEEPING THE HEAT ON, WATER ON AND POSIBLY ONE PHONE LINE IN WORKING ORDER.
n IN ADDITION TO THIS, WE WILL PLAN ON PROVIDING THE PROPER LAWN CARE AND REGULAR CLEANING/MAINTENANCE FOR THE FACILITY.
n WE ALSO ARE LOOKING INTO HOW THIS CHANGE WILL AFFECT THE DISTRICT’S PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE.
THE COSTS FOR THE ABOVE I
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