Open Enrollment

Today's WSJ fronts a story on the increasing trends in open enrollment in local schools.

A year ago Madison changed the rules and allowed more students to open enroll out of the district. Monona Grove saw a significant increase in open enrollment applications, a trend that has continued for the upcoming school year. This year we have a net increase of 94 students through open enrollment, for next year we have accepted 174 incoming students while 54 MG residents have been approved to leave. Recent history shows that a significant percentage of the those approved change their minds before school starts so we don't know what the final numbers will be.

On a percentage basis McFarland and Marshall are the biggest gainers, but MG has the highest number of accepted OE students for next year. Our proximity to Madison is certainly a factor, but given the variety of options these numbers indicate that many parents have a positive view of our district.

How does open enrollment impact the district finances? 94 net OE students bring with them about $600,000 in funding. For the most part OE students are accomodated with existing facilities and staff, adding a few students to existing classes. We use the class size goals outlined in policy to determine the maximum number of OE students to accept (State law generally requires us to accept these students provided we have room.) The differential increased cost due to these OE students is small. Next year is a bit of an exception: we received enough kindergarten applicants to more than fill an additional section. The board accepted these students on the calculation that the OE funds would more than pay for the additional cost of an added section (primarily the cost of an additional teacher.)

Ad Hoc report

The report from the Ad Hoc Grade Configuration committee is now available on line.

The report makes 6 recommendations:

1. Add modular units to Cottage Grove Elementary Schools to accommodate enrollment
growth, as a temporary solution to a potential long-term problem.
2. Research 4K-8 programming in both communities. Report findings at a School Board
Meeting by the end of the 2009-2010 school year.
3. Research sixth grade programming/curriculum. Report findings at a School Board
Meeting by the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Temporarily keep sixth grade Monona
students at Winnequah.
4. Research 4K-4 grade schools at Taylor Prairie and Cottage Grove Elementary. Report
findings at a School Board Meeting by the end of the 2010-2011 school year.
5. Maintain Winnequah and Maywood Schools until 4K-8 program in each community is
determined, or until it is fiscally not feasible to operate both buildings.
6. Research real estate options district wide.

I want to thank those that served on the committee for their long hours and dedicated work. It was not an easy task and it touched on many difficult issues.

As I review the current situation I don't see any capacity issues that aren't readily manageable for the present. We did have a significant (and unexpected) increase in enrollment last year, and our CG buildings are full, however these buildings are still functioning even though they may need additional space in modular units.

The phrase "Temporarily keep sixth grade Monona students at Winnequah." doesn't mean there have plans to move them in the future, this is just indicating an intention not to make changes before completion of a 6th grade curriculum review.

The latest state budget bill...

A summary of school finance portion of the budget approved by the legislature's joint finance committee can be found here. In a nutshell the budget reduce state aid to school districts by 3.1% and reduces the annual increase in the revenue cap to $200 per student (down from $275) for the next two years.

We don't know the precise impact on the district yet (check back here next week), but it will probably result in at least several hundred thousand dollars in reduced revenue. With the contract dates past we will have limited options for reducing spending to compensate.

The budget bill also includes a provision to eliminate the QEO (qualified economic offer) law next summer. The QEO allows schools to impose a teacher's contract if it provides a minimum 3.8% total economic package increase. I'm not a big fan of the QEO law, but it is an integral part of the system by which we fund education in this state. Repealing the QEO in the absence of systematic school finance reform will create significant problems for school districts.

Ad Hoc responses

I've received 28 emails in the last two weeks related to the option presented by the "Ad Hoc Grade Configuration" Committee. I apologize for not responding individually to each missive, I do read all emails I receive and do appreciate the input in all cases. So thanks to everyone who has weighed in.

I would summarize the correspondence I have received thusly: Most of the respondents oppose busing elementary students out of their communities due to factors of cost, bus time, and the desire to keep the younger kids closer to home. Most feel that managing the population and CG and TP through the addition of modular units is the most practical option. Many (although a smaller number) expressed an interest in the cost savings associated with consolidating Maywood and Winnequah. A few people expressed support for the option of keeping K-8 in their home communities or moving all 6th graders to GDS. Two people expressed a desire to use this as an opportunity to reduce class sizes in the lowest grades. I would say this breakdown reasonably reflects most of the comments we heard at the public meeting held last Sunday.


Not being a member of the committee I have avoided commenting on these topics here out of a desire to be respectful of the committee's work and the process. I will have my turn to comment and consider the recommendations next month when the committee reports to the board.

Listening Session

Don't forget the "Ad Hoc Grade Configuration Committee" listening session to be held at 6pm tonight at Glacial Drumlin school. The committee wishes to gather input on its work and the various proposed options, which can be found summarized in the powerpoint presentation available on the district website.

Budget outlook

A few days ago I said I'd give an update on the budget, the problem with that is that the picture changes from day to day based on the information we are getting from the state related to changes in state revenue projections and proposals for budget balancing cuts to state education aids.

BEFORE last week's announcement of a larger state deficit this was the budget picture:

Using a "Cast Forward" model from the previous year (essentially projecting all programming forward on an equal basis) we were facing a ~$750,000 budget deficit for next year. This was calculated including the maximum increase allowed by the state under the revenue cap for next year, a total of about $800,000.

After making expected program adjustments (such as adding and subtracting staff based on enrollment), budget cuts and including federal money that can be used to replace existing funding we have reduced the budget deficit to ~$250,000. Close enough to "balanced" given the various uncertanties (such as the exact number of students that will show up in September).

Then last week Governor Doyle announced that the state deficit would be $1.6 billion more than expected. This news was accompanied by a proposal for a 5% cut in state aid to districts. 5% of our state aid is approximatly $800,000. What we don't know is whether or not any of that aid shortfall could be offset with local property taxes. On top of that 5% cut there is talk of another 3-5% cut for the following years and ideas such as a wage freeze and a property tax freeze have been floated.

But none of this will be known for sure until the state passes a budget- and if history is our guide we are likely to see significant change along the way. So its difficult to talk about the budget specifics at this time. It seems likely we will have significant adjustments to make, I just can't say what it will be.

You are Here!

The Winnequah artist-in-residence program culminated yesterday in the unveiling of the new tile mural (pictured above) in the cafeteria. The artwork, a collaborative student project, was greeted by enthusiastic cheers and applause as drape was taken down. The student's response was touching and gratifying- it was great to watch each student look for the tiles they had helped create. A large crowd was on hand later in the evening to see the mural and take in the student art fair.

Many thanks to the hardworking volunteers who who really made this happen, you have created a legacy that will grace our school for a long time to come.

Doug reports substantial success in the "War on Garlic Mustard" in Woodland Park. Doug and the other volunteers who helped restore the native flora and fauna deserve much thanks and praise.

There is good news on other fronts in the war: The woods in Maywood Park is virtually free of its infestation; in Fireman's park there are just 2 small patches compared to the bags and bags that we pulled out last year; Frost Woods Beach is significantly improved with just a few scattered plants and will be virtually free next year. The bad news is that Frost Woods Park wasn't completely pulled two years ago and now is badly infested, however this can be remedied with a several hours work over each of the next few years.

You can also help by pulling this invasive species from the edges of your own yard, this will reduce the availability of the seeds and help limit its spread. Be sure to dispose of it in trash bags put out for garbage collection (they should be labelled "Garlic Mustard").

Garlic Mustard is an invasive species that crowds out native plants in shady areas and it poisonous to many insects including butterfly caterpillars. Because it has no native predators it takes over large areas. It undermines the base of the ecosystem that supports our native plants, animals and birds.

Oh... and wash your hands.

We have 2 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza (A.k.a Swine flu) reported in the district, one at the high school and the other at Glacial Drumlin, more cases are likely. Parent's will receive the following letter concerning the situation.

5/11/09
Dear Parents,
Public Health – Madison and Dane County has notified us that a student or staff person at (MGHS/GDS) has been diagnosed with H1N1 Influenza (swine flu). This person will be staying home until they are well and can no longer spread the infection. However, this influenza might have spread before the person felt ill, so more cases in the school are likely.

It now appears that this influenza is not as dangerous as it was feared at first. It is not a cause for undo alarm. Still, people with H1N1 are often uncomfortably sick. Also, people with other health problems may get sicker with this influenza, just as they would with the annual, seasonal influenza.

The school will remain open as usual. After-school activities will go on as scheduled. Initially in this outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that when H1N1 influenza was diagnosed in a child or school staff, that the school be closed. We now know that closing schools does not prevent spread of the disease and that school closure is very disruptive to students and families.

Here’s what you can do to help prevent further spread of this disease:
• Wash your hands and make sure your children are washing their hands even more frequently than usual.
• If you are coughing, cover your mouth with a tissue or by coughing into your sleeve.
• If anyone in your family develops symptoms of influenza, they should stay home and not have visitors. Call your doctor. If you do not have health insurance, call Public Health – Madison and Dane County at 266-4821. The sick person should stay home for 7 days or until 24 hours after their symptoms have disappeared, whichever is longest.
• If your child has symptoms of influenza, avoid using aspirin or medications with aspirin, since it could cause Reye’s syndrome, a serious illness.
• If someone in your family becomes severely ill with this influenza or develops influenza symptoms and is at higher risk for complications, you should call your health care provider for possible treatment. Those at higher risk for problems with influenza include children younger than 5 years, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with some chronic illnesses,
Symptoms of H1N1 Influenza are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.
The best sources of information about H1N1 influenza are these websites:
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu and www.publichealthmdc.com
If you have further questions about H1N1 influenza, call your health care provider, 211, or Public Health – Madison and Dane County at 266-4821

Sincerely,
Lynn Hanson, RN, MGSD nurse
Glacial Drumlin School 839-8460
Monona Grove High School 221-7666 ext. 2013

Fortunatly H1N1 is not as dangerous as once feared, however it does illustrate our interconnected society's vulnerability to the rapid spread of disease despite containment efforts.

Wishing those effected a speedy recovery... and don't forget to wash your hands!

New Board's first meeting

Wednesday's meeting will start off with the reorganization that occurs after each spring election as we elect new officers.

Other items of interest:

VII A & B: Craig will also provide us with an update on the impact on the budget of the Federal Stimulus money, and whatever other information we might have concerning state funding. As you may have heard the state will face a larger than expected budget deficit- this is likely to impact state aids to schools.

VII C: Transportation- We've heard from a number of parents concerning transportation of students to Kid's Safari for after school day care.
This year the district has provided transportation to Kids' Safari but has proposed dropping it for next year. Current District policy allows kids to be dropped off at day care centers if they are along existing routes, space is available and no additional costs are incurred. We may wish to revisit this policy.

VII D: An update concerning the Ad Hoc facilities committee. (That committee will hold a public listening session next Sunday at 6pm at Glacial Drumlin school.)

X-B: The board will consider the recommendation for adoption of 6-8th grade English Curriculum materials. Of all the items on the agenda this is the most relevant to the pursuit of our educational mission.

Under the Business Services committee section the board will also consider approval of borrowing $1.46M to fund the McKinstry Energy Performance Contracting agreement. The debt service will be repaid out of energy savings for projects performed through the contract. McKinstry will guarantee that the savings will fund the payments or make up the difference. It was initially intended to use a lease-purchase arrangement to fund these projects, however our bond counsel determined that much more favorable terms could be obtained using general obligation promissory notes.

The agenda can be found here.

"a really lousy test that measures lame standards"

This is an article from Tuesday's WSJ concerning standardized testing in Wisconsin, with quotes from Phil McDade and Bill Breisch. The article highlights the drive to replace the WKCE with something more useful. MGSD has taken a leading role in the effort to improve the state assessments, we already use the MAP and ACT testing, which are useful for individual assessment in ways that the WKCE is not- by the DPI's own admission:

... Schools should not rely on only WKCE data to gauge progress of individual students or to determine effectiveness of programs or curriculum...

Unfortunately we are required to administer the WKCE regardless of other assesments we might use, in the end we give up class time for both.