Meeting 3 of 5

I must admit last night's meeting (finally) felt quite productive. It seemed like the advisory committee was really given the chance to be an advisory committee. It also felt like some of the issues we brought up to Rosario are being heard. Here is the play by play for the most part:

First we were reminded of the committee's purpose. Then Rosario provided an insufficient explanation for his enrollment projections. Then he gave an update on the BOE budget meeting. In short the BOE identified a 59 million dollar budget with no school consolidations. Does anyone know how to get a copy of this?

Next they presented 12 different consolidation models that included various configurations. However, they only presented the cost savings for three and this number they admitted is no accurate since it does not include mothball costs or transportation costs.

In response to Rochelle's request to Rosario they also presented two additional models. Model 13 is the current situation with no school closing - they likened this to the budget presented at the BOE budget meeting with staff cuts but no building closure. Then they presented Model 14 which brings the 5th grade back into the elementary schools. However, they only partially worked through the savings analysis for Model 13 and did not do this for Model 14 - this will be presented next week.

Because the advisory committee could not assess models based on financial savings since that data was incomplete, instead they focused on educational impact. The committee almost unanimously denounced putting 4th graders in the middle school and, though less unanimously, rejected a K1, 2-4 format stating that there were too many transitions, likely too complicated for busing and more disruptive for parents with kids at various ages.

Of these models, Model 8, closing one elementary school but keeping the K-4 format in each was the least disagreeable. The primary issue was the feel of an elementary school with 375 kids in it (compared with closer to 250 as we have now). Side note - the FACTS estimates and the past 3-5 year enrollments reveal that we could actually be seeing closer to 400-415 kids in each school - potentially 250 MORE than we have now. Hard to imagine.

The remaining models on the table at the close of the meeting were #8, #13 (our current model with fewer teachers) and #14 (bringing the 5th grade back). When asked if there could be a savings in bringing the 5th into the elementary school we were told no. But Tim Wade clarified that the district office could be moved and/or we rent the space (of the district office or the 5th grade wing) to universal pre-k and senior citizen groups (GO TIM!). Personally, I was very impressed with Tim. The District should have him be their spokes person. He seemed (to me) reasonable and smart.

At the close there were 13 questions and comments. I am sure I will not remember them all but here are highlights:
1. Where are the cuts to the district office? (thanks Stacy)
2. We should not be assuming the low ball estimate of 750 elementary kids but a safer estimate of 800-820 (me)
3. How many teachers jobs can be saved if we cut on administrative position (o.k. this was not asked out loud - just to my neighbor).
4. We should be cutting from the top down - the TA play an important role at a low cost (thanks MJ)
5. How much money do we really have in our reserves? (thanks Amy)
5. Why are there no talks of real cuts in the administration/district office?
6. If the district came to a 59 million dollar budget, why not leave it at that giving us a year or so to figure out if there needs to be a consolidation (thanks Mindy).
7. If a school closes this year, how do we know another won't be on the chopping block next year? (thanks Theresa).

Where do we go from here?
1. It seems that until the district commits to cutting in their office we can't really know how many programs, TA's and teacher can keep their jobs, meaning we can't really know about class sizes.
2. The three models are up. Personally I think an elementary school with 400 kids is too large.
3. Next week - transportation costs....


E-mail Gail today telling her that there needs to be consolidation in the district office. Again, one district position = 2 teachers.