Scott Walker today released his budget proposal for the 2011-13 biennium. The proposal includes a 5.5 reduction in the revenue limit for schools. For the Monona Grove school district this works out to a reduction of about 1.7 million dollars - this will be somewhat offset by mandatory reductions in teacher compensation, but it will add an additional ~$700K to our projected budget deficit which is already $750K plus in the red (all numbers are approximate until we get the details!) The total spending cuts needed for next year will be on the order of $1.5 million.
To give you an idea $1.5M is the equivalent of more than 25 full time teachers. Elections have consequences and the last general election made it pretty clear that the electorate didn't want the budget to be balanced by raising taxes. This, of course, is the alternative.
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Is this in addition to the reduction in sections that have already been discussed due to enlarging class size?
perhaps the board should consider using part of the FUND 10 Balance
The Fund 10 balance is used to pay expenses during the year, even with the current balance we need to borrow money each year to make payroll between state payments.
Reducing our balance would increase our borrowing costs and reduce our credit rating- making the budgets in future years less sustainable.
Its not a good idea.
This what happens when people are not paying attention. You cannot have a low tax, high service state.
If we cut all extra curriculuars, what would be the savings, Peter? I know this number is difficult, becuase it's more than the additives teachers are paid. It's decreased sports field maintenance, etc., too, but can you ball park it?
I'm not willing to see class sizes go to 30+ so we can have a football team or a show choir.
I am a teacher at the high school-the class size limit for THIS year is already at 30
One of the dilemmas facing the MG school board -- all school boards, really -- is that budget assumptions rest on enrollment projections. Taking a cleaver to popular programs like sports and show choirs risks significant enrollment transfers -- MG is in a metro area with lots of enrollment choices, and among the little-noticed changes in Walker's budget is a large expansion of the open enrollment window (now one month in February; Walker wants to extend it into April).
One could make the argument that pushing class sizes to well above 30 (think 40 in the HS, and 30+ in the elementary grades)risks enrollment transfers as well. And it probably does. But large class sizes are going to be nearly universal in most Wisconsin districts for the near-term. Districts that somehow find a way to hold on to (or justify holding on to) extra-curriculars will be more appealing than those that don't. And like it or not, lots of families look toward those extra-curriculars as a major reason (not the sole one, but a significant one) for deciding which district to live in/stay in/enroll at.
The entire activities budget (including all extra-curriculars) is $4-500K, about 1/3 of the deficit.
so is it fair to say that the divide between schools that "have" will be pitted against schools that "have not" instead of all public school boards standing together to say this is wrong for all Wisconsin children?
Also, the activities budget is one of the few in the district that actually produces money -- obviously not enough to cover expenses, but annual athletic passes, admission to games and musicals, and athletic fees (all students now pay substantial money to play sports) all generate some money to cover expenses. So a cut there is almost a double-cut -- you cut the revenue and expenses if you get rid of the programs.
If the collective bargaining law is changed as Walker wishes, which it will, then what? Do we massively cut our programming or do we massively cut teacher compensation to lessen the impact of program cuts.
Pick one. You cannnot not pick one. That is where we are at. Now do you wish you had voted last fall?
Are we allowed in this budget to go to referendum to increase the revenue cap?
Personally, I have a daughter entering kindergarten next year, and I am very worried about how this budget will affect Monona Grove. No extracurriculars and/or class sizes of 30+ are not what I want for her education. Even if I didn't have an (almost) school-age child, I think I would gladly choose to pay more in taxes to maintain a quality school district.
We are already taxed to the max, because we are paying for that shiny new middle school in Cottage Grove. Good luck rounding up support for a referendum now. NO WAY.
"I'm not willing to see class sizes go to 30+ so we can have a football team or a show choir"
Large class sizes can indeed be construed as an issue of relevance in supporting proper individual follow-up; although one may argue that this also could be where we, as parents, should step in and actually assume the fostering role that parenthood bestows upon us. 25 or 30 students … how much of a difference does that really make when considering individual follow-up; parents and tutors are the one with the unique qualification to provide that individualized support, whether directly or indirectly in academic disciplines.
Be as it may, after their February 10th meeting and as published in the March 2011 MGHS Newsletter, the MG School District proposes both a new vision (“MGSD is a student-focused culture empowering continuous learners who embrace global opportunities and excellence”) and a new mission (“The mission of the MGSD is to increase learning for all students while cultivating social responsibility and a desire for learning.”)
Within the wide and desirable scope of these new vision and mission statements, one can’t but help notice that the values put forth extend beyond the strict academics learned in the traditional classroom. Such values seem to include positive contribution, demonstration of excellence in all aspects of life and citizenship, social responsibility and embracing global opportunities.
Where and how can our children be further fostered in learning these values and be presented with opportunities of demonstration of excellence as they embrace these global opportunities?
More specifically:
- Where and how can they further learn becoming valuable contributing members in a team?
- Where and how can they further be fostered into and allowed to demonstrate, as individuals, their strength of character by means of willful extra hours of hard work, persisting in their efforts for months at a time?
- Where and how can they further be educated about the fact that, in today's (post 2008-09) highly competitive environment, working hard is in fact the norm, but that only working harder brings the pay-off?
Anyone following the MGHS football team and/or Grand Champion Silver Connection Show Choir this academic year cannot but acknowledge as a fact that not only did the students participating in these after school activities indeed learned the above-mentioned skills, but also that they established a clear track record of not just excellence, but also performance above and beyond expectations.
Now, the real question: looking beyond high school (and college), at equal academic qualifications, which candidate will get the job?
Could the candidate with a demonstrated record of willingness to work harder and longer, to contribute positively to team efforts and to constantly perform above and beyond expectations have a better chance to get that job?
Yes, these very skills that were learned throughout four years of high school during the long after-school hours and week-ends required to being involved in competitive after-school activities such as football and show choir will make the difference.
Yes, that demonstrated track record of excellence and performance above expectation will make the difference for them.
As a community, present and future, are we willing to provide our children with all the success-building skills (not just the academic skills) that will enable them as responsible, contributing and productive members of this community?
There is only one certainty: their future is in our hands. Let us therefore act as the responsible and foreseeing parents and community citizens we are being held to be.
The Board can assign more classes to be taught by each teacher. This will reduce the number of needed teachers without increasing class size. Simply put, each teacher now teacher an extra class. It will still have it s toll on the individual.
They can also reduce hours of many service type positions within the district. This will result in things not getting done as quickly, but things are rarely URGENT!!!!
"We are already taxed to the max, because we are paying for that shiny new middle school in Cottage Grove. "
Yawn. Have you thought about counseling? Speaking for myself-I found psycho therapy to be relaxing, insightful and help me let go.
I suggest you give it a try-better then being bitter for another 30 to 40 years-you are going to die either way.
"...we are paying for that shiny new middle school in Cottage Grove."
And still paying for that shiny (relatively) new high school in Monona.
Cuts both ways.
Welcome to Walker World. Ugly isn't? The pinheads who still think there is something productive in perpetuating petty little squabbles between Monona and CG need to wake up and realize that without a massive, unified, response we are all going down. To the woman with the daughter entering kindergarten, might want to get on the waiting list for Madison Country Day School, Edgewood or Montessori.
Peter, please help the Board find a backbone and fire a unanimous blast at the Governor and the Republicans in the Legislature.
Bill:
The surest way to begin the long spiral downward of public schools is to encourage parents with an interest in their kid's education to opt for private schools, instead of investing time and effort in sustaining local public schools.
As a former public school teacher, you ought to know that. If you want a public education system where most people opt for private schools, move to Mississippi. The MG district can overcome these very difficult budget times, but not without a concerted effort by everyone in the community to invest in the value and strengths of this district.
Yes of course; if you can forgive me for that one bit of sarcasm and reread my comment you will see that we completely agree. The problem is that the Governor doesn't share our commitment to public education and he is holding all the cards. Regarding your "concerted effort", a good start would be for readers to check out the following link: http://www.UnitedWisconsin.com.
"You cannot have a low tax, high service state."
Since when are we a low tax state? I think we're second worst (property tax + income tax).
3 from the bottom on income tax:
http://www.fa-ir.org/alabama/constitution/Best_worst1.htm
As a resident of Cottage Grove, and a parent of a child at Monona Grove, I don't believe that cutting extra curriculars is the answer. I am incensed that the first thing looked at is music and sports programs. Music teaches life lessons,math, teamwork, as in showchoir. Those kids work awfully hard to achieve success. Most of the funding from the programs comes from fundraising and ticket sales, revenue that would not exist if the programs were scrapped. Leave the programs alone.
I would agree leave sports and music alone. That's the only thing that gets many kids to school. I heard that referendums are prohibited. So much for local control of schools and they complain about Obama taking over healthcare. Is it true you cannot go to referendum? That's seems very extreme. I think a referendum for about half the amount would pass. Not all of the amount, keep in mind many in the district are also public non-school employees and are potentailly taking an 8% cut in pay.
As a student at the high school, I know that cutting after school activities would not be at all accepted by the student population. Without those activities school would be meaningless to many students. Just look at the Brodhead school district last year. If you cut after school activities, students will leave.
Show Choir receives very little from the school district--the additives and entry fees only. All transportation, costumes, choreographer, music arrangement, props, etc are completely paid for by MG SINGS. It does cost money to have a show choir but the vast majority of the expenses are NOT borne by the school district!
The value of having a show choir is priceless! Studies have shown that involvement in music increases academic success and the teamwork and confidence learned in show choir makes better future citizens. This is not something to casually cast aside.
Our community values our music and that includes competitive show choir!
The $3600 the school district spent on show choir is not going to even make an indentation on the budget shortfall much less a dent!
Local referendums to override local levy limits are still allowed.
But they will be difficult to pass, particularly given the pay cut that's about to occur to anyone with any connection to any level of government.
This is the parent of the to-be kindergartener again...
What about asking parents for a larger contribution? Obviously, this would not be possible for everyone, and some would balk, but it could help preserve at least some funding.
What if we asked $550 a year, the amount that Walker is taking away per student? And for those who can pay more, ask them to contribute a little extra for those who can't afford it? Be clear about what the money is for (e.g., preserving art and music; classroom materials) and what will happen if the money isn't raised.
I'd rather pay that amount so I can feel good about sending my child to public school than pay $12,000+ per year to send her to private school. I pay much more than that for day care now, and even about that amount for a once-a-week tumbling class.
It is clear Walker does not value public education. If we as a community do, then I think we're going to have to put our money where our mouth is, whether it's through increased taxes, parent contributions, or both.
Parents can't pay what amounts to tuition to public schools, or they wouldn't be public schools. It's state law. Public schools can charge for materials, like a fee for art, but not for instruction.
People who can afford private will go that way. This will leave the poorest and most unsupported kids in our public schools. That's the end game.
I'm not saying to charge tuition, I'm saying to request a contribution... an optional contribution.
Schools can't budget and hire based on donations. The answer to this is to recall the Governor in one year and rebuild our state. People who normally aren't active in politics will need to wake up and pay attention. Too bad it is taking this for that to happen.
"Taking a cleaver to popular programs like sports and show choirs risks significant enrollment transfers "
Good idea Anon @ 9:41 AM on 3/2:
I like the dynamic here. If we cut sports, show choir, orchestra and other fluff enrollment will decline (and we save something on the expense side).
With less students we need less teachers and/or we can have smaller class sizes.
Yes, our state school aid drops when enrollment declines BUT we hardly get any as it is. Look for even less in the future.
Without fluff our remaining students can focus on a core curriculum for longer each day that will hopefully prepare them well for the future they face.
Alternatively - consolidate with other school districts.
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