I went to the open forum to hear what the people running for Rondout Board of Education. This is an important time because, although we managed to keep a school open this year, this will be pursued for next year and we want thoughtful people doing it. First I will present their introductions and then the answers to two of the questions I had time for (would you vote in favor of closing an elementary school & what do you see as the weaknesses of this year's budget)
Here is the slate and what they said:
Incumbents:
Pam Longley: Single mother with a son in Jr. High at Rondout. Strong appreciation of the importance of public primary education. Feels she worked hard for the last two terms and has work to complete, primary with the technology committee.
Kent Anderson: Been on the board for the past 6 years and prior to that for three years. Lived in our district for 29 years. He feels this has given him a lot of experience and insight into how the board functions, what prorams re essential, and what the community is willing to pay. He is critical of the Race to the Top and its impact on education. He wants to see a more integrated curriculum.
James Ayers: Previous taught here and is now retired and serving as a substitute teacher in Onteora. He went through the education to be a certified administrator but has not been one. He feel he has a strong connection to the senior citizens in our community and understands their concerns. He is also a bee keeper.
New candidates:
Peri Rainbow: Her daughter is in Rondout High School and she has been in the district for 15 years. She has been an active parent, teaches at SUNY New Paltz, and is a psycho-therapist in trauma care. She believes in stong parent involvement, an inclusive not exclusive model. She is not afraid to put new ideas forward.
Jim Blair: A resident since 1983. No ties to the district as a parent etc. Was a commercial litigator handling complex statewide assessment. He is a member of the property tax reform task force whose focus is on finding alternative revenues for schools.
Questions:
Would you vote in favor of closing an elementary school?
Anderson: This needs to be viewed as a k-12 issue, understand how this impacts students and understand parents wishes. I would need more time and information to decide.
Ayers: Agrees with Anderson, adding we are not ready to make this decision; this needs to be studied more.
Longley: Agrees with above, we need more time.
Blair: Given the declining enrollment for years, he questions why the BOE started looking at this so late. They could have started sooner and had the time this year.
Rainbow: She was impressed wiht the involvement of community members in this process. She does not know if a school needs to be closed. There are many creative solutions that should be looked at as this process effects us all.
What do you see as the weaknesses in this year's budget?
Longley: She is unhappy that the field trips were cut. She feels with more time they could have tightened more. She is concerned about how staff cuts affect us economically and in our inclusion classes.
Anderson: He is concerned about taking so much of the fund balance this year. He feels that class sizes are getting too large and the cutting of field trips. He wishes there was better communication between the budget committee and the rest of the board.
Ayers: Feels we are getting rid of useful employees and does not like the increase in class sizes.
Rainbow: Feels the process lacked creativity, there are ways of keeping program and keeping classes smaller with more partnering and innovation.
Blair: Does not support the 4% increase when the rest of government had to make reductions.
My take you ask? (I will tel you even if you did not). While there are people I think should not be on the BOE anymore, none of them are up for reelection right now. I feel good about the three incumbents. That said, I think Rainbow would also make a great addition and if she doe not get it this year I hope for our sake she tries again next year. I respect Blair's cost cutting attitude but I feel confident that this is already well represented in the existing board. We need more innovation, less bottom line. They both can get a lower budget but the former will also make ours a better school.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Understanding the Budget #2: Getting to Know your Tax Levy
The total budget is based on the school. The impact on you as a household owner depends on the assessed value the town has for your home. I know for my home this went up in years past but actually went down last year due to the economy lower the sale price on homes in our area.
Your school tax rate is impacted by the school budget and by your town’s assessed value on your house. The rate varies across our district but on average:
If your house is valued at $150,000 you likely paid about $3,000 in school tax last year and your total increase would be about $120/year (about $10.00 per month).
If your house is assessed at $200,000 you likely paid about $4,000 in school tax last year. This proposed tax levy increase would mean for you, an increase of about $160 more per year (just over $13.00 per month).
If your house is assessed at $250,000 you likely paid about $5,000 last year and your total increase would be about $200 (just under $17 per month)
* Note: These are approximate - it varies somewhat by town.
You should know there are property tax relief options out there for eligible people. New York State's School Tax Relief (STAR) Program provides property tax exemptions (also known as homestead exemptions) for New York homeowners. Basic STAR is available to anyone who owns and lives in his or her own home and earns less than $500,000. Enhanced STAR is available to senior homeowners whose incomes do not exceed $79,050.
Your school tax rate is impacted by the school budget and by your town’s assessed value on your house. The rate varies across our district but on average:
If your house is valued at $150,000 you likely paid about $3,000 in school tax last year and your total increase would be about $120/year (about $10.00 per month).
If your house is assessed at $200,000 you likely paid about $4,000 in school tax last year. This proposed tax levy increase would mean for you, an increase of about $160 more per year (just over $13.00 per month).
If your house is assessed at $250,000 you likely paid about $5,000 last year and your total increase would be about $200 (just under $17 per month)
* Note: These are approximate - it varies somewhat by town.
You should know there are property tax relief options out there for eligible people. New York State's School Tax Relief (STAR) Program provides property tax exemptions (also known as homestead exemptions) for New York homeowners. Basic STAR is available to anyone who owns and lives in his or her own home and earns less than $500,000. Enhanced STAR is available to senior homeowners whose incomes do not exceed $79,050.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Understanding the Budget #1: Our High Cost Per Pupil
I am going to try to lay out details about the budget as best as I can with what I know. As always, please remember that if I get anything wrong or inaccurate to let me know. I prefer that we all understand this based on accurate information.
A primary complaint about our budget centers on our high cost per pupil. In its simplest form this takes our budget and divides it by the number of kids. However, many factors make comparing this cost from one district to another far more complicated. Here are some of the challenges including how these impact our rate.
1. Special Education: It costs more to educate children who are poor and children who have special needs. If a district has a greater number of one or both, the overall cost per student will be dramatically influenced. In Rondout, 18% of our student get mandated services due to a certified special need. For comparison, the state average is 13.2% certified population.Our general cost per pupil includes instruction support for students in general education classrooms. About 87% of our special ed. population get in-school instruction (compared with 67% state average). Our special education cost expenditure per pupil are similarly impacted by the fact that we provide most of our services at our district, more so than most other districts.
2. Poverty & limited English. Our population of poor children is about 24%, higher than last year and the year before. We also increased our number of children who have limited English.It is more expensive to provide the necessary services for these population as well.
3. Our commitment to smaller class sizes. Most of the cost per pupil is instructional costs. Fewer students per class means more teachers. In addition to believing that smaller classes produce better students, we also have a high inclusion rate which further requires smaller classes.
4. Our commitment to music, art and other programming. Again, the cost per student is primarily instruction. Engaging our students in educational experiences beyond reading, writing, English and science means more instructors in the specialized classes.
A primary complaint about our budget centers on our high cost per pupil. In its simplest form this takes our budget and divides it by the number of kids. However, many factors make comparing this cost from one district to another far more complicated. Here are some of the challenges including how these impact our rate.
1. Special Education: It costs more to educate children who are poor and children who have special needs. If a district has a greater number of one or both, the overall cost per student will be dramatically influenced. In Rondout, 18% of our student get mandated services due to a certified special need. For comparison, the state average is 13.2% certified population.Our general cost per pupil includes instruction support for students in general education classrooms. About 87% of our special ed. population get in-school instruction (compared with 67% state average). Our special education cost expenditure per pupil are similarly impacted by the fact that we provide most of our services at our district, more so than most other districts.
2. Poverty & limited English. Our population of poor children is about 24%, higher than last year and the year before. We also increased our number of children who have limited English.It is more expensive to provide the necessary services for these population as well.
3. Our commitment to smaller class sizes. Most of the cost per pupil is instructional costs. Fewer students per class means more teachers. In addition to believing that smaller classes produce better students, we also have a high inclusion rate which further requires smaller classes.
4. Our commitment to music, art and other programming. Again, the cost per student is primarily instruction. Engaging our students in educational experiences beyond reading, writing, English and science means more instructors in the specialized classes.
Friday, April 29, 2011
The Budget Vote is Approaching
First, I would like to thank all of the community members, teachers and staff who have been so engaged in this budget process this year. While the proposed budget may not be exactly what I would have done, I think the board did a commendable job.
I will vote in favor and will share why as we get closer.
Fell free to let me know your thought and questions.
I will vote in favor and will share why as we get closer.
Fell free to let me know your thought and questions.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Areas for reduction
I wrote this to the BOE and Rosario based on last night's meeting. I will share it here.
Some areas that seems to be prime for reduction based on my conversations with teachers, administrators, residents and my own perspective:
1. Summer School - A H.S. teacher wrote to me: "I see no need for night school at the high school. This is a big expense ($75,000) that serves very few students. Summer school only costs $35,000, but I believe this could be cut, too. Besides, those students in need of summer school are allowed to take summer school classes in other districts."
2. Technology - There are a few items on the technology budget that those who viewed it from the audience questioned such as a conference increase of over 7,500. Overall, when there are cuts everywhere, the technology budget is about 140k higher for next year than it was and less than half of this is due to salary increases.
3. Home-teaching/ Out of School Suspension: This OSS costs our district about 75k. There is a great deal of research showing that OSS does not deter future problems and can exacerbate them by creating a greater detachment from the school environment. In-school suspension provides an alternative but there are other methods found to be more effective. There are also alternatives to suspensions that are considered far more helpful to the child and the school.
4. Substitutes: Last there was talk last night of substitutes. While the need for substitutes for instructional staff was addressed, the point of whether non-instructional staff substitutes might not be able to be reduced seemed to be missing.
5. Assistant Principal: It was suggested a number of time that the enrollment bubble will be floating away with the graduation of this year's seniors. Even with the current enrollment in the HS it has been questioned by many why 3 administrators are needed when no other district in the county operates this way. If n fact the HS enrollment will be even smaller next year, it seems even more relevant to consider whether the HS needs 2 Assistant Principals.
All together the items above, even if some were reduced rather than fully cut could provide close to 400k in savings which far surpasses the 220k needed to add the TA and AIS Math positions.
Some areas that seems to be prime for reduction based on my conversations with teachers, administrators, residents and my own perspective:
1. Summer School - A H.S. teacher wrote to me: "I see no need for night school at the high school. This is a big expense ($75,000) that serves very few students. Summer school only costs $35,000, but I believe this could be cut, too. Besides, those students in need of summer school are allowed to take summer school classes in other districts."
2. Technology - There are a few items on the technology budget that those who viewed it from the audience questioned such as a conference increase of over 7,500. Overall, when there are cuts everywhere, the technology budget is about 140k higher for next year than it was and less than half of this is due to salary increases.
3. Home-teaching/ Out of School Suspension: This OSS costs our district about 75k. There is a great deal of research showing that OSS does not deter future problems and can exacerbate them by creating a greater detachment from the school environment. In-school suspension provides an alternative but there are other methods found to be more effective. There are also alternatives to suspensions that are considered far more helpful to the child and the school.
4. Substitutes: Last there was talk last night of substitutes. While the need for substitutes for instructional staff was addressed, the point of whether non-instructional staff substitutes might not be able to be reduced seemed to be missing.
5. Assistant Principal: It was suggested a number of time that the enrollment bubble will be floating away with the graduation of this year's seniors. Even with the current enrollment in the HS it has been questioned by many why 3 administrators are needed when no other district in the county operates this way. If n fact the HS enrollment will be even smaller next year, it seems even more relevant to consider whether the HS needs 2 Assistant Principals.
All together the items above, even if some were reduced rather than fully cut could provide close to 400k in savings which far surpasses the 220k needed to add the TA and AIS Math positions.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Last Night's Meeting
Key items discussed:
1. Class sizes needed to stay low (under 24)
2. Language needs to stay in elementary schools.
3. French should be taught by French teachers.
4. Technology needs to make more cuts
Not discussed:
1. Concessions in the administration
1. Class sizes needed to stay low (under 24)
2. Language needs to stay in elementary schools.
3. French should be taught by French teachers.
4. Technology needs to make more cuts
Not discussed:
1. Concessions in the administration
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Foreign Language - from Diana Zuckerman
Dear Concerned Parents and Community Members,
I am writing to request that you contact the Rondout Valley Board of Education Members concerning the proposals to reduce and possibly eliminate the *K-4 Elementary Foreign Language Program* which reaches
approximately 800 students and to also reduce the *Middle School French Program*, which could as a result phase out the High School French Program in the future. Please urge the Board (BOE) to continue to support these critical programs for Rondout’s students. Beginning language in 6th grade will be too late for many of our students and not having a language choice is also detrimental. The BOE has been very supportive in the past and community input has made a difference. Go to www.rondout.k12.ny.us and click on Board of Ed and then “Send a comment to the Board.” Even if you have written in the past, please write again. There is also a BOE Budget meeting on *Tuesday, April 5th at 7:00pm* at Marbletown Elementary School in the gym where you can come and make a public comment at the beginning of the meeting.
Please see the attachment and click on the links below for information on the benefits of foreign language learning, which include cognitive and academic benefits, social and communicative benefits, as well as cultural
and global competency necessary in the 21st century.
Fairfax Flags – Virginia Parents Website for Foreign Language Advocacy for Grade Schools (Foreign Language Benefits):
http://www.fairfaxflags.org/2009/11/benefits-of-early-foreign-language_09.html
Asia Society & Speaking in Tongues: Brain Research:
http://asiasociety.org/education-learning/world-languages/-american-schools/your-brain-languages
Asia Society article on language learning:
http://asiasociety.org/education-learning/world-languages/-american-schools/national-imperative-language-learning
University of Oregon *Changing Brains* video on language & second language
learning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMOHtSkSPfA&feature=player_embedded
Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) Board of Trustees Position Statement on Foreign Language Learning:
http://www.cal.org/about/foreign-language-survey.html They state, “Our nation’s capacity to maintain national security, promote international cooperation, compete effectively in a global economy, and enhance our domestic well-being depends on our ability to communicate in other languages and across cultures. It is time to heed the calls for action by countless organizations, business leaders, government agencies, and individuals to acknowledge the well-documented individual and societal benefits of foreign language learning and to incorporate foreign languages into the core curriculum at every level of education and in every community across the nation.”
Please let me know if you would like any additional information or if you have any comments or questions. Please encourage other supportive community members to send comments to the BOE as well. Thank you for your vocal support.
Best wishes,
Diana
Diana Zuckerman
dianazuck@yahoo.com
Spanish FLEX K-4 & 9, Rondout Valley CSD, Accord NY NYS Representative, National Network for Early Language Learning www.nnell.org
Board of Directors, NYS Association of Foreign Language Teachers www.nysaflt.org
President, Association of Language Teachers of Orange, Ulster, Dutchess and Surrounding Counties (ALOUD)
I am writing to request that you contact the Rondout Valley Board of Education Members concerning the proposals to reduce and possibly eliminate the *K-4 Elementary Foreign Language Program* which reaches
approximately 800 students and to also reduce the *Middle School French Program*, which could as a result phase out the High School French Program in the future. Please urge the Board (BOE) to continue to support these critical programs for Rondout’s students. Beginning language in 6th grade will be too late for many of our students and not having a language choice is also detrimental. The BOE has been very supportive in the past and community input has made a difference. Go to www.rondout.k12.ny.us and click on Board of Ed and then “Send a comment to the Board.” Even if you have written in the past, please write again. There is also a BOE Budget meeting on *Tuesday, April 5th at 7:00pm* at Marbletown Elementary School in the gym where you can come and make a public comment at the beginning of the meeting.
Please see the attachment and click on the links below for information on the benefits of foreign language learning, which include cognitive and academic benefits, social and communicative benefits, as well as cultural
and global competency necessary in the 21st century.
Fairfax Flags – Virginia Parents Website for Foreign Language Advocacy for Grade Schools (Foreign Language Benefits):
http://www.fairfaxflags.org/2009/11/benefits-of-early-foreign-language_09.html
Asia Society & Speaking in Tongues: Brain Research:
http://asiasociety.org/education-learning/world-languages/-american-schools/your-brain-languages
Asia Society article on language learning:
http://asiasociety.org/education-learning/world-languages/-american-schools/national-imperative-language-learning
University of Oregon *Changing Brains* video on language & second language
learning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMOHtSkSPfA&feature=player_embedded
Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) Board of Trustees Position Statement on Foreign Language Learning:
http://www.cal.org/about/foreign-language-survey.html They state, “Our nation’s capacity to maintain national security, promote international cooperation, compete effectively in a global economy, and enhance our domestic well-being depends on our ability to communicate in other languages and across cultures. It is time to heed the calls for action by countless organizations, business leaders, government agencies, and individuals to acknowledge the well-documented individual and societal benefits of foreign language learning and to incorporate foreign languages into the core curriculum at every level of education and in every community across the nation.”
Please let me know if you would like any additional information or if you have any comments or questions. Please encourage other supportive community members to send comments to the BOE as well. Thank you for your vocal support.
Best wishes,
Diana
Diana Zuckerman
dianazuck@yahoo.com
Spanish FLEX K-4 & 9, Rondout Valley CSD, Accord NY NYS Representative, National Network for Early Language Learning www.nnell.org
Board of Directors, NYS Association of Foreign Language Teachers www.nysaflt.org
President, Association of Language Teachers of Orange, Ulster, Dutchess and Surrounding Counties (ALOUD)
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