There are approximately 30+ days of school left and I along, with the Board, continue to work on ways to cover the anticipated budget shortfall of $1.1 million and $500,000 in increased costs for the 2011-12 school year.
Mrs. Kaschalk, our business manager, presented a very pointed, user-friendly budget outline for the public on April 13. Her presentation detailed how almost 70% of our district’s budget is a fixed cost. Each line item was scrutinized to see if a reduction or elimination was warranted, with a list of recommendations presented to the Board. These recommendations have been posted on our district’s web site for your review.
To take this one step further, InShore, our outsourced tech provider is developing an online survey with which the general public can offer input about our fiscal trimming. The survey will be live in the near future; with a click of the mouse, you can let us know what is and isn’t important to you. The goal is to gauge what should or should not be considered to make up our budget shortfall, for next year and beyond. The survey site will be live April 25 and will close May 6.
As I have continually said, this is just the beginning of belt tightening for many districts across the Commonwealth. Our district continues to do wonderful things for our students, with less money. This is commendable, but how long can any district do this?
Like many area districts, our budget was cut by 13%. At the same time, the state’s prison budget was increased by 11%. Hmm…. It seems to me that putting money into education that supports the development of responsible, self-sufficient adults is a far better use of taxpayer money than supporting the undereducated, irresponsible citizens who find themselves behind bars. Still, once the effects of limited education are felt, and more young people enter adulthood without the skills to support themselves, an increase in the state’s prison system budget may be warranted. This is a downward spiral that would best be reversed by education, not by imprisonment. As caring parents, educators, and community members, we owe it to ourselves and to our progeny to fight this trend of cutting educational opportunities of our young people.
I urge you to contact the governor and/or local legislators to make your voice heard and let them know that public education is an important investment in our children. As costs continue to go up, and districts look to make ends meet, the lack of funding will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the youth of our society, and on our own well-being and safety.
Dr. D.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Finances
I want to start by recognizing the achievement of our science team at a recent competition, three wrestlers who placed at the state meet, and a swimmer who earned a place at states. While I really like using my blogs to highlight district successes and awards, I believe that it is my responsibility to discuss the governor’s proposed budget and how it will affect our district.
Let me begin by stating that this blog is not a complaint session; I speak from the perspective of a realist. The governor’s budget is what it is. Proposed cuts to the state budget mean that we face a $1.06 million dollar deficit for next year. The Board, my administrators and I have been diligently seeking ways to reduce this deficit. Making up for a thirteen percent cut in our funding—in one year—is a daunting task. The goal is to pare our budget without sacrificing programs that enhance our children’s academics or the curriculum.
All areas are being scrutinized: extra-curricular activities, conferences, out-of-district travel, staff alignment, class size, staff reduction through attrition, activity buses, AmeriCorps workers, paid student workers, technology, building budgets, dual enrollment and maintenance.
One item cut from our budget is the Block Grant money (about $246,000); this loss could affect our full day kindergarten program. I say “could” because no decision has been made as to the continuance of full- vs. half-day kindergarten. The Board has agreed to meet in an executive session to review next year’s proposed budget. It is my hope that the Board will act promptly on decisions affecting current programs, so as to save parents from scrambling at the start of the next school year.
Although this budget dilemma has caused considerable anxiety for all educators, parents, and communities, we at Central Cambria are dealing with it in the best way possible: while it would be great if the problem would just disappear, we know the wiser course of action is to take steps to both prepare for the deficit for next year, and plan for our future in a way that maximizes opportunities for our students.
One final thought: take the time to contact your local legislator to ask for Block Grant monies to be renewed, as well as to rescind the other cuts in the proposed budget. Thank you for supporting Central Cambria and public education.
Dr. D
Let me begin by stating that this blog is not a complaint session; I speak from the perspective of a realist. The governor’s budget is what it is. Proposed cuts to the state budget mean that we face a $1.06 million dollar deficit for next year. The Board, my administrators and I have been diligently seeking ways to reduce this deficit. Making up for a thirteen percent cut in our funding—in one year—is a daunting task. The goal is to pare our budget without sacrificing programs that enhance our children’s academics or the curriculum.
All areas are being scrutinized: extra-curricular activities, conferences, out-of-district travel, staff alignment, class size, staff reduction through attrition, activity buses, AmeriCorps workers, paid student workers, technology, building budgets, dual enrollment and maintenance.
One item cut from our budget is the Block Grant money (about $246,000); this loss could affect our full day kindergarten program. I say “could” because no decision has been made as to the continuance of full- vs. half-day kindergarten. The Board has agreed to meet in an executive session to review next year’s proposed budget. It is my hope that the Board will act promptly on decisions affecting current programs, so as to save parents from scrambling at the start of the next school year.
Although this budget dilemma has caused considerable anxiety for all educators, parents, and communities, we at Central Cambria are dealing with it in the best way possible: while it would be great if the problem would just disappear, we know the wiser course of action is to take steps to both prepare for the deficit for next year, and plan for our future in a way that maximizes opportunities for our students.
One final thought: take the time to contact your local legislator to ask for Block Grant monies to be renewed, as well as to rescind the other cuts in the proposed budget. Thank you for supporting Central Cambria and public education.
Dr. D
Monday, January 31, 2011
Quite a time of year...
Snow is once again falling as I sit in my office and look out at the mountains. It is a harsh time of year for many animals—and for school superintendents.
Have I piqued your curiosity? Let me explain myself with four words: delay, cancellation, early dismissal. The unpredictable weather of this season leads to a flurry of phone calls between areas superintendents as we weigh the pros and cons of adjusting the school schedule.
The process used to make a snow event decision involves checking weather forecasts from multiple sources, making back-and-forth phone calls to neighboring superintendents, and even traversing the district’s rural roads. I rely heavily on my transportation coordinator’s assessment of road conditions, how much snow/ice has fallen, how long plows have been out, what township/county supervisors have to say, and input from the district’s bus contractor. Once I receive that information I consult with other area superintendents to come to consensus about a possible delay or cancellation; while it does not have to be an “all or none” decision, weather conditions are often similar among adjacent school districts.
I try to make the decision for a delayed start before 5:30 a.m.; I try to announce a cancellation no later than 7:30 a.m. An early dismissal is a decision based on projected weather and the possibility that deteriorating conditions (visibility, drifting or accumulating snow, etc.) will render buses unable to deliver students to their homes safely and at a reasonable time. We try to make that decision around noon. All such decisions are relayed to all district parents, staff, and drivers via our Global Connect system.
I realize that my decisions about weather-related schedule changes will not please everyone. However, when it comes to our children, student safety is a far greater priority than convenience! I have worked to make district policies, decisions and programs transparent to parents, staff and community members; with this in mind, it should be evident that decisions to delay, cancel or dismiss early from school are based on the best interest of our students. As always, my phone, door and email system remain open and available for any concerns, issues or suggestions.
In the meantime, keep gas in your snow blower and ATV, have your shovel at the ready until that first sighting of a robin. Stay safe and warm.
(I can’t write a blog without referencing football – but my superstitious nature makes me stay low-key as the Big Event draws near. Suffice to say that, right now, my favorite song is “Stairway to Seven – I mean Heaven!!”)
Dr. D.
Have I piqued your curiosity? Let me explain myself with four words: delay, cancellation, early dismissal. The unpredictable weather of this season leads to a flurry of phone calls between areas superintendents as we weigh the pros and cons of adjusting the school schedule.
The process used to make a snow event decision involves checking weather forecasts from multiple sources, making back-and-forth phone calls to neighboring superintendents, and even traversing the district’s rural roads. I rely heavily on my transportation coordinator’s assessment of road conditions, how much snow/ice has fallen, how long plows have been out, what township/county supervisors have to say, and input from the district’s bus contractor. Once I receive that information I consult with other area superintendents to come to consensus about a possible delay or cancellation; while it does not have to be an “all or none” decision, weather conditions are often similar among adjacent school districts.
I try to make the decision for a delayed start before 5:30 a.m.; I try to announce a cancellation no later than 7:30 a.m. An early dismissal is a decision based on projected weather and the possibility that deteriorating conditions (visibility, drifting or accumulating snow, etc.) will render buses unable to deliver students to their homes safely and at a reasonable time. We try to make that decision around noon. All such decisions are relayed to all district parents, staff, and drivers via our Global Connect system.
I realize that my decisions about weather-related schedule changes will not please everyone. However, when it comes to our children, student safety is a far greater priority than convenience! I have worked to make district policies, decisions and programs transparent to parents, staff and community members; with this in mind, it should be evident that decisions to delay, cancel or dismiss early from school are based on the best interest of our students. As always, my phone, door and email system remain open and available for any concerns, issues or suggestions.
In the meantime, keep gas in your snow blower and ATV, have your shovel at the ready until that first sighting of a robin. Stay safe and warm.
(I can’t write a blog without referencing football – but my superstitious nature makes me stay low-key as the Big Event draws near. Suffice to say that, right now, my favorite song is “Stairway to Seven – I mean Heaven!!”)
Dr. D.
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