The Personel & Policy Committee meets at 6 and the Curriculum Committee meets at 7:15.
The Curriculum Committee will be hearing several science related subjects, including an our science assesment data, UW admissions requirements and standards, and an overview of the district's science offerings at the high school.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Vote Tomorrow?!
Yes, tomorrow is the spring primary, and there is one statewide race on the ballot. There are five candidates in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction, the primary tomorrow will narrow the field to two. The AP has this take on the position:
At its best the Superintedent can be an effective administrator and a vocal and visible advocate for policy.
I won't endorse anyone here, you can find a brief run-down on the candidates here: http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/39296147.html
While past state superintendents have used the position to take on the policies of the governor, the title carries with it very little true power. It is largely administrative, responsible for running the agency that provides state and federal aid to public schools, and offering guidance to teachers and administrators.
However, the superintendent can use the position to advocate for change and push education policies that could influence decisions made by the Legislature and governor.
At its best the Superintedent can be an effective administrator and a vocal and visible advocate for policy.
I won't endorse anyone here, you can find a brief run-down on the candidates here: http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/39296147.html
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Budget outlook
At last Wednesday's BS Committee meeting we were presented with 3 PMA budget models based on assumptions of state increases in the revenue cap of $275/student (Last year's number), 50% of that and 0. For these cases the budget deficit ranges from 0.7 to 1.3 million dollars for the district in 2009-10 budget year. Further, Gov. Doyle has indicated that we shouldn't expect any increases in state aids so any increases in spending under the revenue cap would have to born by the local property taxpayer, an unpalatable option given the current economy.
So one way or another there is going to be a substantial hole in the budget.
What should we do about it? Craig has started the process by asking the staff to bring forward suggestions for places to cut. The administration will go through the various options and prioritize them then bring them to the board for discussion.
Approximately 80% of the district's spending goes into salaries and benefits which means that any significant savings can only be achieved at the cost of reducing staff. I am loathe to see anyone layed-off in the current economy, so I hope that staff reductions can be minimized. Of course some savings can be found in other areas but there just isn't that much there to begin with.
I can't speak for the board or administration, but personally I would choose to focus on preserving efforts to improve core academic achievement. I've been in organizations that try to save money by trimming a little bit out of everything, but this is a quick road to mediocrity where nothing is done well. We should admit we can't do everything, pick the things we want to do and provide the resources to do them well.
So one way or another there is going to be a substantial hole in the budget.
What should we do about it? Craig has started the process by asking the staff to bring forward suggestions for places to cut. The administration will go through the various options and prioritize them then bring them to the board for discussion.
Approximately 80% of the district's spending goes into salaries and benefits which means that any significant savings can only be achieved at the cost of reducing staff. I am loathe to see anyone layed-off in the current economy, so I hope that staff reductions can be minimized. Of course some savings can be found in other areas but there just isn't that much there to begin with.
I can't speak for the board or administration, but personally I would choose to focus on preserving efforts to improve core academic achievement. I've been in organizations that try to save money by trimming a little bit out of everything, but this is a quick road to mediocrity where nothing is done well. We should admit we can't do everything, pick the things we want to do and provide the resources to do them well.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Another Wednesday Another Meeting
Tomorrow (1/28) will see the second Business Services committee meeting this month. The agenda can be found here.
We should be hearing a more detailed and accurate budget forecast with a few scenarios for different state aid numbers. This will serve as the rough estimate for the budgeting reduction process.
The Guaranteed Performance Contracting plan will come back up to the committee, perhaps for the last time.
The committee will also review the 5-year capital budget plan.
We should be hearing a more detailed and accurate budget forecast with a few scenarios for different state aid numbers. This will serve as the rough estimate for the budgeting reduction process.
The Guaranteed Performance Contracting plan will come back up to the committee, perhaps for the last time.
The committee will also review the 5-year capital budget plan.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Doyle on the budget...
The board and Superintendent Gerlach returned yesterday from the WASB convention in Milwaukee. The convention ended on a sobering note with Governor Doyle speaking at the closing session. The governor is facing the prospect of a 5.4 billion dollar deficit in the 2009-2011 bi-ennial budget as state revenues decline in the current recession.
Of course Doyle admitted that no increase is effectively a cut in the face of continually rising costs. Doyle went on to describe his parents educational experiences during the great depression, perhaps to communicate the idea that things aren't as bad as they could be. I didn't find it very reassuring!
Anyway, skipping the annual increase in the state aid to schools will put a big hole in the budget that we will have to fix. The precise details of how it will effect the district and the taxpayer depend on the final package in the state budget including the amount of funding, adjustments to the revenue cap, and any other tweaks to the aid formula that might be made. Given the recent history of the budget battles don't hold your breath for an early resolution to these questions. I think it is a given that we will see significant spending cuts along with tax increases of some kind. We will see the Gov's budget proposal in early February- this will give us some idea of the direction we are headed- but the original proposal can be a long way from the final deal.
Personally I will push for aggressive spending reductions early in our district. It is easier to plan cuts early and restore spending if the budget picture improves, if you wait too long our hands can be tied by contractual obligations.
We will have another look at next year's budget Wednesday at the January Business Services meeting. I don't expect this spring will be much fun.
"Not getting cut is the new increase in this budget," Doyle said in a speech at the State Education Convention in the Milwaukee Hilton Hotel.
Of course Doyle admitted that no increase is effectively a cut in the face of continually rising costs. Doyle went on to describe his parents educational experiences during the great depression, perhaps to communicate the idea that things aren't as bad as they could be. I didn't find it very reassuring!
Anyway, skipping the annual increase in the state aid to schools will put a big hole in the budget that we will have to fix. The precise details of how it will effect the district and the taxpayer depend on the final package in the state budget including the amount of funding, adjustments to the revenue cap, and any other tweaks to the aid formula that might be made. Given the recent history of the budget battles don't hold your breath for an early resolution to these questions. I think it is a given that we will see significant spending cuts along with tax increases of some kind. We will see the Gov's budget proposal in early February- this will give us some idea of the direction we are headed- but the original proposal can be a long way from the final deal.
Personally I will push for aggressive spending reductions early in our district. It is easier to plan cuts early and restore spending if the budget picture improves, if you wait too long our hands can be tied by contractual obligations.
We will have another look at next year's budget Wednesday at the January Business Services meeting. I don't expect this spring will be much fun.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Know the candidates
A commentor here brings up an interesting question: are the current avenues of communication for learning about the candidates for school board adequate? Should we have more than one candidate's forum? Is the coverage in the local paper sufficient to inform the public? Or do we just need more yard signs?
Please post your thoughts.
Please post your thoughts.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Other Ad hoc committee
The Ad Hoc field use committee will meet again Monday. (I'm a member of this committee which hasn't met since August) The agenda can be found here.
On Monday the committee will receive an update on field usage at the various sites and the costs associated. The basic problem is that we have too many events scheduled at the stadium for the grass turf to withstand. This often results in a less then ideal playing surface for many events, at times events have to be cancelled or moved because of the condition of the field.
The committee is investigating alternatives, including a proposal to install artificial turf at the stadium. Other alternatives include moving events to other sites around the district, such as Ahuska park where many soccer games are played on the facility provided by the City of Monona.
Although artificial turf would provide a reliable playing surface able to stand up to continual all weather use, funding such an installation would be a challenge.
On Monday the committee will receive an update on field usage at the various sites and the costs associated. The basic problem is that we have too many events scheduled at the stadium for the grass turf to withstand. This often results in a less then ideal playing surface for many events, at times events have to be cancelled or moved because of the condition of the field.
The committee is investigating alternatives, including a proposal to install artificial turf at the stadium. Other alternatives include moving events to other sites around the district, such as Ahuska park where many soccer games are played on the facility provided by the City of Monona.
Although artificial turf would provide a reliable playing surface able to stand up to continual all weather use, funding such an installation would be a challenge.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Entirely Uneventful
is how I would describe tonights board meeting. We start with a long closed session followed by a light agenda in the public portion. Craig will give updates on the upcoming election, the preliminary budget for 2008-9 and the Ad Hoc grade committee activities.
The only action items are under the Business Services agenda and relate to the Annual meeting date and the budget calendar.
The agenda can be found here.
The only action items are under the Business Services agenda and relate to the Annual meeting date and the budget calendar.
The agenda can be found here.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Annual budget flier
Last night the business services committee gave guidance to Mary Ellen to reduce the annual budget flier to a post card with notification of the annual meeting and a printed web address where the budget information can be found along with district contact information. The idea is to reduce the costs of the mailing while taking advantage of the internet to provide better information to the taxpayer. Last year the printed flier was out of date by the time it reached the public (even without the postal delay!) plus it is not really possible to give complete budget information on a single sheet.
My view is that when done right this will be an improvement in the quality of the information available to the public. Admittedly there would be a downside to some in the community who rely on the printed flier but I would like to make the entire budget presentation available on request to those people.
My view is that when done right this will be an improvement in the quality of the information available to the public. Admittedly there would be a downside to some in the community who rely on the printed flier but I would like to make the entire budget presentation available on request to those people.
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