Rain, Rain and more rain…
If April showers bring May flowers, what do May showers bring? After so many days of rainy, inclement weather in May, I am sure everyone would like to conjure up an answer to that question. For my part, “all rain and no sun” have led to a quieter-than-usual ending to the school year.
This is the time of the school year during which I conduct senior exit interviews and gather information for my graduation speech. I truly enjoy sitting down with a cadre of seniors to ask them about their time at Central Cambria, I hear what they liked, didn’t like, how the pork chopettes and Hollywood squares were, and many other tidbits that I really should put in a book some day. Soon to leave the district for good, seniors feel no need to hold back on their opinions and comments.
Many had questions of their own: about the middle school students coming into their building next year, how the cafeteria will be structured to handle the larger number of students, even about budgetary issues (I knew these kids were sharp). The majority of the people who met with me said that they feel well-prepared for life after high school. Many expressed sadness that their time at CCSD was coming to a rapid end (sorry, teachers, they specifically named their friends as being the people they will miss the most). I interview 20-25% of the senior class for two reasons: first, of course, I want to share their responses with their parents, teachers, relatives and friends during my graduation speech. The second reason for the interviews is actually much more important: I want to know, from their own perspective, how our students rate our performance as educators and mentors.
Many thanks to those who took the budget survey on our district homepage. Almost 800 respondents provided insight into common priorities and concerns as we work through our budget for next year and the years to come. Again, I encourage you to contact our local legislators to let them know how the governor’s cut in funding to basic education will have a negative impact on young people across the state. I believe that our solidarity is one very important reason that Harrisburg is at least now listening to the concerns of constituents associated with education as families, community members, taxpayers, and educators.
Congratulations to all graduating seniors, as well as to their parents, relatives and friends on their achievements as they move forward. June 9th will mark the start of their journey into the “real world.” All of us at Central Cambria wish them happiness and satisfaction in their future endeavors.
Dr. D.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Budget woes....
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.
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.
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
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