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
