Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Great news - the first robin sighting!


Great news: while out making my school visits recently, I saw my first robin! Unfortunately, the bird was in Altoona and it may be another week or two until we see our own signs of spring. The words “Polar Vortex” has become very unpopular this winter.

Yes, winter has certainly taken center stage this school year as many activities were either cancelled or rescheduled.  The State has delayed the dates for administering the PSSA and is considering the same for the Keystone Exams.  Even as the official start of spring is March 20, the weather may still be interesting as the most recent reports call for possible early morning ice on that day.  Fortunately, as much as Old Man Winter is reluctant to leave, the sun will sooner or later (hopefully sooner) grow stronger and the temps will force him out of the area for several months.

Many of you are now aware of the governor’s proposed budget.  Once again, public education and local entities must find ways to finance unfunded mandates:

·     There is no real increase for basic education funding.
·     PlanCon is getting no new dollars.
·     There is a minute increase in funding for special education for the fifth year in a row (2%).
·     The pension debacle continues to drain district (and state) coffers.

Once again, we must do more with less money.  Because I believe it leads to many positive results, I remain committed to continuing with full day kindergarten. At the same time, I am determined to keep our district out of deficit spending. 

A fund balance is the difference between assets and liabilities.  When assets are greater than liabilities, the balance is positive.  If you follow our district finances, you will know that our fund balance is greater than 15% of our total budget.  By law we must consume any fund balance in excess of 8% prior to increasing any taxes. Maintaining a positive fund balance:
·     improves the credit rating of our district.
·     allows us to make our bond payments (without having yet received any of the PlanCon money from the State to which we are entitled).
·     enables us to prepare for pension increases
·     and for the unexpected building and ground issues that happen as buildings age.

Although this budget dilemma has caused considerable anxiety for educators, parents, and communities, we at Central Cambria are handling it in the best way possible: while some might wait or spend as if the problem might just disappear, we know the wiser course of action is to prepare for next year’s deficit and plan for an uncertain future in ways that maximize opportunities for our students.

As some of you may be aware, the district is still negotiating with its teachers’ union.  Talks have been ongoing since January of 2012.  I encourage you all to click on this link to review what the District was willing to accept and what the union voted not to accept. 

Finally, with spring around the corner, football is in the air.  Many colleges, including PSU, have begun spring practices.  NFL free agency continues for one more week and there are just 50 days until the draft begins.  As I wait (patiently?) for football, I enjoy excellent hockey performances by our Pittsburgh favorites. Admittedly, the Pens are on a two game losing streak, but they are still the East division leaders. 

As time marches on at an increasingly rapid pace, it won’t be long before many of us will be complaining about the heat and cutting the grass.  For my part, I hope to ease my “suffering” by recalling this winter of 2014 while wearing flip flops and shorts.

Until next month,
Dr. D.