At the 3/10 Board meeting we received our 1st look at the total requests for Open Enrollment. In total we have 212 requests to transfer In and 41 to transfer Out. The breakdown by school is:
High School - In = 77 and Out = 16
Glacial Drumlin - In = 47 and Out = 8
Cottage Grove - In = 10 and Out = 2
Winnequah - In = 16 and Out = 4
Taylor Prairie - In = 10 and Out = 2
Maywood - In = 17 and Out = 4
Non-Specific (PK-6)- In = 35 and Out = 5
One of the things that I struggle with regarding open enrollment is my philosophical/ethical belief on this issue. I am of the mindset that we educate the students of our district 1st. I also believe that if you accept a student, know matter at which grade they start in our district, that you have now committed to educating them until they graduate.
Furthermore, when reviewing potential students to accept, siblings get a higher priority if space allows and that you have to look at what impact educating those students will have on our buildings at each grade level. If you accept an elementary student how will that impact enrollment at middle school and high school in future years?
Some will say that you accept each and every applicant every year. I completely disagree with this, because I believe that you don't accept an open enrollment student for purely financial reasons. Open enrollment is not a way to balance a budget.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Administration Staffing Levels
At our listening sessions more than one person questioned our staffing levels at the Administration level. I did not know exactly how we compared to our conference or other schools in our area, so I went to the district website and did some research on the topic. It was quite easy to do, but here is what I discovered.
Compared to our conference our ratio of Administrators to students is 1:264.48. Click the link in the title to view our conference results. DeForest has the smallest ratio at 1:204.19 while Monroe has the largest at 1:293.40. MG ranks second highest on the list. Madison is at 1:255.17, so I don't think we are over staffed at the administration level.
Looking further into the different levels as broken down by this site at the conference level. We rank 3rd lowest in the ratio of students to Aides/Support/Other. We are tied for 2nd lowest in the ratio of students to Licensed Staff. Lastly we are 3rd lowest overall in students to staff ratios.
I point this out because I think having these low ratios helps us educate our students. Most research suggests that the lower the ratio of students to staff the better it is for learning. Now in light of our budget crunch the question becomes can we maintain these levels?
Compared to our conference our ratio of Administrators to students is 1:264.48. Click the link in the title to view our conference results. DeForest has the smallest ratio at 1:204.19 while Monroe has the largest at 1:293.40. MG ranks second highest on the list. Madison is at 1:255.17, so I don't think we are over staffed at the administration level.
Looking further into the different levels as broken down by this site at the conference level. We rank 3rd lowest in the ratio of students to Aides/Support/Other. We are tied for 2nd lowest in the ratio of students to Licensed Staff. Lastly we are 3rd lowest overall in students to staff ratios.
I point this out because I think having these low ratios helps us educate our students. Most research suggests that the lower the ratio of students to staff the better it is for learning. Now in light of our budget crunch the question becomes can we maintain these levels?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Board Member Role
With the budget process in high octane and the pending election, I thought I would post my thoughts on the role of a board member. These are only how I view my role and I am certain others will view a board members role differently. I base my view on my personal experiences with various boards.
A school district is run by the Superintendant. A school board is set up to make sure that the Superintendant does his/her job. A school board is designed to allocate resources and set the priorities of the district. Board members should not engage in any micro-management of the district. The board is designed to hold the Superintendant accountable for their decisions.
A good board will set goals and policies that allow the Superintendant to run the district. Under those goals and policies the Superintendant then makes decisions to achieve the best results. This includes decisions/recommendations on how to educate the students, how to staff the district, how to spend the available money, etc.
Just about every major decision that a board makes come from a recommendation made by the Superintendant. Yes, the board has the final decision on most major issues, however most board members are not professional educators. We have to take the facts presented to us by administration, input from the public, research that we may conduct on our own and any other relevant information we have and make the best decision possible for the education of the students.
If the voters feel we are making the wrong decisions then each April they can vote to make changes on the board. As a board member the voting public is who elected us and that is who we have to answer to.
Is our current board doing a good job? That is for the voters to answer.
A school district is run by the Superintendant. A school board is set up to make sure that the Superintendant does his/her job. A school board is designed to allocate resources and set the priorities of the district. Board members should not engage in any micro-management of the district. The board is designed to hold the Superintendant accountable for their decisions.
A good board will set goals and policies that allow the Superintendant to run the district. Under those goals and policies the Superintendant then makes decisions to achieve the best results. This includes decisions/recommendations on how to educate the students, how to staff the district, how to spend the available money, etc.
Just about every major decision that a board makes come from a recommendation made by the Superintendant. Yes, the board has the final decision on most major issues, however most board members are not professional educators. We have to take the facts presented to us by administration, input from the public, research that we may conduct on our own and any other relevant information we have and make the best decision possible for the education of the students.
If the voters feel we are making the wrong decisions then each April they can vote to make changes on the board. As a board member the voting public is who elected us and that is who we have to answer to.
Is our current board doing a good job? That is for the voters to answer.
Public Communication
Over the course of the past 2 weeks the board and the administration have taken a lot of hits over our communication regarding potential budget cuts. I feel the TV coverage, H-I coverage, the district website and our bi-monthly open meetings provide lots of opportunities for gathering information on what the board is discussing.
I know a lot of Monona residents said they were unaware of the potential reductions until Mayor Kahl's flyer. For this I apologize, however, I also feel that being informed is a personal decision. If you want to know what is happening you have all of the above places to find information. On average, I am estimating, we have less than 10 citizens attend a board meeting. The board tends to discuss issues at more than one meeting before making a decision.
With that being said if 1 person feels we are not providing information well enough then we as a board need to more. Therefore, here is your opportunity to tell me how we can do this better. I am looking for you the district residents to come up with ways to better communicate to you.
I know a lot of Monona residents said they were unaware of the potential reductions until Mayor Kahl's flyer. For this I apologize, however, I also feel that being informed is a personal decision. If you want to know what is happening you have all of the above places to find information. On average, I am estimating, we have less than 10 citizens attend a board meeting. The board tends to discuss issues at more than one meeting before making a decision.
With that being said if 1 person feels we are not providing information well enough then we as a board need to more. Therefore, here is your opportunity to tell me how we can do this better. I am looking for you the district residents to come up with ways to better communicate to you.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Last 2 listening sessions
There is a staff listening session on Thursday 2/18 and a public listening session on 2/20 at Winnequah from 10-12. There is also a tour of Winnequah from 9-10.
Please show up and voice your opinion.
Please show up and voice your opinion.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Maywood/Winnequah & 4th Grade Strings
I heard a lot of emotional pleas during the listening sessions. I understand the emotional side of the arguments. However, as a board member I have to remove emotion from my thought process and look at things strictly on the facts as I see them. This really comes thru on the 2 topics I have heard the most comments on...Maywood/Winnequah Consolidation and the 4th grade strings program.
Fourth Grade Strings -
Cutting a program that has about a 70% student participation rate is difficult to fathom. However, the administration rated it 9th and the board 8th on it's impact on board goals if eliminated. I have a daughter that will be in 4th grade next year and will probably gravitate towards music, so the idea of taking away an opportunity from her and the other 70% of 4th graders pains me. That being said, if I vote to keep strings then something else has to be eliminated. What would that be?
Maywood/Winnequah Consolidation -
I heard a few people mention that there are 5 Kindergarten classes this year at Maywood. Part of that is due to the 15 open enrollment students as stated in the 1/8/10 Enrollment Report. Just to be clear, per this report the number of students accepted by location are:
CG - KG-1, 1st-5, 2nd-6, 3rd-5, 4th-2 for a total of 19
Monona - KG-15, 1st-6, 2nd-4, 3rd-7, 4th-7 for a total of 39
I am just putting this out there, so that everyone can see it is not necessarily a population increase for either community, but that open enrollment plays a part also. While open enrollment does bring in funds to the district, it also has a price and we have to be aware that we need to educate our residents 1st and then we can discuss adding open enrollment students.
Based on the same report if Maywood and Winnequah are consolidated the populations of the 3 elementary schools will be: Cottage Grove - 475 students; Tayolr Prairie - 372 students and Winnequah - 483 students. If Maywood and Winnequah are not consolidated then the populations will be: Cottage Grove - 475 students; Maywood - 255 students; Tayolr Prairie - 372 students and Winnequah - 228 students.
The administration ranked this potential consolidation as #2 on their list as far as impact on board goals. We have received a letter from a group of 19 teachers at Maywood that support this consolidation. I have heard that these 19 teachers have been catching grief from parents for signing this letter. I hope that none of the teachers who signed the letter felt any pressure to sign it because that would be unfortunate.
Also, a comment by one of the speakers on Thursday when he discussed this letter was "If I had a gun to my head I might have signed it too." This was such an outlandish statement that I had to put it in my notes to post it. I almost fell out of my seat when I heard this.
Another comment that I kept hearing was "Maywood works." Well as another speaker pointed out "Maywood works because of the teachers." She also stated that a group of teachers, I missed all the names...sorry, could teach in her garage and it would work. I have to echo this sentiment that I think a good teacher can teach anywhere.
As I process all of the facts with regard to consolidation it comes down to a few key points in my mind. First, is there any significant negative impact on learning for the students affected? In this case I have to believe the staff and administration that the answer is no.
Second, does consolidation unfairly burden the children by placing them in such a large school that it is not pratical? A difference of 8 students is not unreasonable. Is a 450+ school ideal? Probably not, however it is not unheard of. I wish we could build enough schools so that all our elementary kids could experience only having 15 kids in their class and a school population of about 250. That just won't happen.
Third, what is the fiscal impact of such a move? The 1st year of this consolidation it will save about $80k ($260k less $180k) and then every year after that it will be about $260k. That is real money that can save programs and staff to better educate our students.
Based on these 3 things I think it would be impossible for me to vote against consolidation. It is complete fiscal irresponsibility to keep a school open at this time and given these budget circumstances.
As with everything when the circumstances change, and they will, we as a district have to be willing to revisit the possibility of re-opening Maywood.
Fourth Grade Strings -
Cutting a program that has about a 70% student participation rate is difficult to fathom. However, the administration rated it 9th and the board 8th on it's impact on board goals if eliminated. I have a daughter that will be in 4th grade next year and will probably gravitate towards music, so the idea of taking away an opportunity from her and the other 70% of 4th graders pains me. That being said, if I vote to keep strings then something else has to be eliminated. What would that be?
Maywood/Winnequah Consolidation -
I heard a few people mention that there are 5 Kindergarten classes this year at Maywood. Part of that is due to the 15 open enrollment students as stated in the 1/8/10 Enrollment Report. Just to be clear, per this report the number of students accepted by location are:
CG - KG-1, 1st-5, 2nd-6, 3rd-5, 4th-2 for a total of 19
Monona - KG-15, 1st-6, 2nd-4, 3rd-7, 4th-7 for a total of 39
I am just putting this out there, so that everyone can see it is not necessarily a population increase for either community, but that open enrollment plays a part also. While open enrollment does bring in funds to the district, it also has a price and we have to be aware that we need to educate our residents 1st and then we can discuss adding open enrollment students.
Based on the same report if Maywood and Winnequah are consolidated the populations of the 3 elementary schools will be: Cottage Grove - 475 students; Tayolr Prairie - 372 students and Winnequah - 483 students. If Maywood and Winnequah are not consolidated then the populations will be: Cottage Grove - 475 students; Maywood - 255 students; Tayolr Prairie - 372 students and Winnequah - 228 students.
The administration ranked this potential consolidation as #2 on their list as far as impact on board goals. We have received a letter from a group of 19 teachers at Maywood that support this consolidation. I have heard that these 19 teachers have been catching grief from parents for signing this letter. I hope that none of the teachers who signed the letter felt any pressure to sign it because that would be unfortunate.
Also, a comment by one of the speakers on Thursday when he discussed this letter was "If I had a gun to my head I might have signed it too." This was such an outlandish statement that I had to put it in my notes to post it. I almost fell out of my seat when I heard this.
Another comment that I kept hearing was "Maywood works." Well as another speaker pointed out "Maywood works because of the teachers." She also stated that a group of teachers, I missed all the names...sorry, could teach in her garage and it would work. I have to echo this sentiment that I think a good teacher can teach anywhere.
As I process all of the facts with regard to consolidation it comes down to a few key points in my mind. First, is there any significant negative impact on learning for the students affected? In this case I have to believe the staff and administration that the answer is no.
Second, does consolidation unfairly burden the children by placing them in such a large school that it is not pratical? A difference of 8 students is not unreasonable. Is a 450+ school ideal? Probably not, however it is not unheard of. I wish we could build enough schools so that all our elementary kids could experience only having 15 kids in their class and a school population of about 250. That just won't happen.
Third, what is the fiscal impact of such a move? The 1st year of this consolidation it will save about $80k ($260k less $180k) and then every year after that it will be about $260k. That is real money that can save programs and staff to better educate our students.
Based on these 3 things I think it would be impossible for me to vote against consolidation. It is complete fiscal irresponsibility to keep a school open at this time and given these budget circumstances.
As with everything when the circumstances change, and they will, we as a district have to be willing to revisit the possibility of re-opening Maywood.
Public Listening Sessions (2 of 3)
Various comments from the listening sessions: The 8 line items below are general themes and not specific quotes. Based on my notes they cover the topics most referenced in the comments.
1. Comments both for and against consolidation of Maywood and Winnequah
2. Pleas to keep the 4th grade strings program in place.
3. Citizens asking for a referendum (the # of which caught me off guard).
4. Pleas to keep Special Ed. levels as they currently are.
5. Requests to keep clerical staff levels as they are.
6. Comments on the benefits of the library staff and their current levels.
7. Do not make decisions on short sighted goals.
8. Is staff and/or admin. taking a pay cut?
As I sit here pondering all of the various comments from this past weeks 2 listening sessions a few things go thru my head. First, it was so hard to sit thru both sessions and not respond. Second, it is clear that providing correct information to the public is an area the board needs to work on. Lastly, that while intentions are good, some individuals are not willing or able to look at the big picture.
As a board member we do get more detailed information then the general public. While the district puts most, if not all, of this on the website the voters do have to search it out. The voting public also does not get the benefit of hearing each and every comment at the meetings unless you watch them all. This tends to lead to the general public having some misinformation.
This is just a flaw in the system. I am not sure how to or if it is possible to correct this. No matter how diligent the district is about posting information or how good of a job the H-I does in covering the board meetings there will always be information that the general public misses. This is one of the reasons that I believe we elect the school board: to take ALL the information and make sound rational decisions that are in the best interest of our children. The recourse is that if district residents feel an individual member does not make good decisions then they vote to not bring them back on the next time.
1. Comments both for and against consolidation of Maywood and Winnequah
2. Pleas to keep the 4th grade strings program in place.
3. Citizens asking for a referendum (the # of which caught me off guard).
4. Pleas to keep Special Ed. levels as they currently are.
5. Requests to keep clerical staff levels as they are.
6. Comments on the benefits of the library staff and their current levels.
7. Do not make decisions on short sighted goals.
8. Is staff and/or admin. taking a pay cut?
As I sit here pondering all of the various comments from this past weeks 2 listening sessions a few things go thru my head. First, it was so hard to sit thru both sessions and not respond. Second, it is clear that providing correct information to the public is an area the board needs to work on. Lastly, that while intentions are good, some individuals are not willing or able to look at the big picture.
As a board member we do get more detailed information then the general public. While the district puts most, if not all, of this on the website the voters do have to search it out. The voting public also does not get the benefit of hearing each and every comment at the meetings unless you watch them all. This tends to lead to the general public having some misinformation.
This is just a flaw in the system. I am not sure how to or if it is possible to correct this. No matter how diligent the district is about posting information or how good of a job the H-I does in covering the board meetings there will always be information that the general public misses. This is one of the reasons that I believe we elect the school board: to take ALL the information and make sound rational decisions that are in the best interest of our children. The recourse is that if district residents feel an individual member does not make good decisions then they vote to not bring them back on the next time.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Mayor Kahl
Really Mr. Kahl?
I am very disappointed that you felt the need to use public resources to promote what I feel is misleading information. For those that are not aware, Mr. Kahl had uniformed police officers distributing a flyer today regarding the district listening sessions. Please see the flyer at Peter Sobol's blog.
The school board has had discussions on potentially consolidating Maywood and Winnequah at previous meetings. It was discussed briefly at the Jan. 13th meeting and the board asked for more information, which led to it not being included in the surveys that we completed. It was on the staff survey, because they had some more detailed discussions internally.
There was discussion at the Jan. 27th meeting where even more information was requested. Then last night we had more discussions regarding this issue. This potential change was not listed on the preliminary reduction list from because "Has not been discussed in detail by the board". I agree with that statement as we did just receive more information last night. Does that mean this potential consolidation had not been discussed? Not in my opinion, as it was an on-going point of discussion.
I appreciate the help that we will get from this for getting district residents to attend the listening sessions. Mayor Kahl making this about 1 issue is unfortunate as we have many potential cuts and all will impact our students.
POINT OF CLARIFICATION
I may or may not agree with Mayor Kahl's distribution, my opinion does not count as I am not a resident of Monona. My displeasure with his flyer was the shock and awe theme to it.
I am very disappointed that you felt the need to use public resources to promote what I feel is misleading information. For those that are not aware, Mr. Kahl had uniformed police officers distributing a flyer today regarding the district listening sessions. Please see the flyer at Peter Sobol's blog.
The school board has had discussions on potentially consolidating Maywood and Winnequah at previous meetings. It was discussed briefly at the Jan. 13th meeting and the board asked for more information, which led to it not being included in the surveys that we completed. It was on the staff survey, because they had some more detailed discussions internally.
There was discussion at the Jan. 27th meeting where even more information was requested. Then last night we had more discussions regarding this issue. This potential change was not listed on the preliminary reduction list from because "Has not been discussed in detail by the board". I agree with that statement as we did just receive more information last night. Does that mean this potential consolidation had not been discussed? Not in my opinion, as it was an on-going point of discussion.
I appreciate the help that we will get from this for getting district residents to attend the listening sessions. Mayor Kahl making this about 1 issue is unfortunate as we have many potential cuts and all will impact our students.
POINT OF CLARIFICATION
I may or may not agree with Mayor Kahl's distribution, my opinion does not count as I am not a resident of Monona. My displeasure with his flyer was the shock and awe theme to it.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
E-mails Received
My fellow board members and I have received numerous e-mails from staff and district residents regarding the proposed budget reductions. Please keep them coming because the more people we hear from the better in my opinion. While I do not answer many e-mails, because the board decided that the board president would respond, I do read them all and review the specific comments to help give me a point of view that may or may not align with mine.
I do have one issue with some of the e-mails we have received. Those that have been in support of one teacher and how we need to save this one individuals job is a bit troubling. The discussions that I have been a part of and the proposed cuts as I see them are not about one teacher, but about programs or staff positions. It does not matter to me who fills a specific role, but more a question of is that position(s) a must keep position. Teachers will always come and go but the position may remain.
I am sure that some will take exception with this point of view and I understand why. We have good teachers and no one, including myself, wants to lose any of them. However, based purely on the financial reality we may have to lose some. An organization as labor intensive as a school district can only cut so much around the edges before it comes down to staff and programs.
Sometimes a program is deemed non-essential and gets cut which also reduces staff. Sometimes reduction in staff is deemed an appropriate step in order to save a program. It is a delicate balancing act, but in either case the labor intensive organization has to reduce costs thru staff reductions. This is just the grim reality.
Please keep the e-mails coming, but be assured that any potential cuts (as I view them) are not about individual teachers and rather about the actual position or program.
I do have one issue with some of the e-mails we have received. Those that have been in support of one teacher and how we need to save this one individuals job is a bit troubling. The discussions that I have been a part of and the proposed cuts as I see them are not about one teacher, but about programs or staff positions. It does not matter to me who fills a specific role, but more a question of is that position(s) a must keep position. Teachers will always come and go but the position may remain.
I am sure that some will take exception with this point of view and I understand why. We have good teachers and no one, including myself, wants to lose any of them. However, based purely on the financial reality we may have to lose some. An organization as labor intensive as a school district can only cut so much around the edges before it comes down to staff and programs.
Sometimes a program is deemed non-essential and gets cut which also reduces staff. Sometimes reduction in staff is deemed an appropriate step in order to save a program. It is a delicate balancing act, but in either case the labor intensive organization has to reduce costs thru staff reductions. This is just the grim reality.
Please keep the e-mails coming, but be assured that any potential cuts (as I view them) are not about individual teachers and rather about the actual position or program.
2/4 Teacher Listening Session
The 1st of 2 teacher listening session took place Thursday night. I think that it was exactly what I expected it to be. Mr. Gerlach estimated attendance at around 50 teachers. There were 16 teachers that got up and spoke, with most of them from the areas of related arts. Mr. Gerlach gave each person 3 minutes to speak and only had to cut off 3 or 4 of the speakers for running long.
I appreciate each person that attended the session for taking the time to come and listen. For those that got up and spoke I thank you for giving your thoughts and feelings. I expected nothing less from our staff, so thank you for your passion and dedication to the children of our district.
I wish there was a golden parachute available to fix the districts budget issues. Unfortunately, the reality is that positions will probably have to be cut. I hope that my fellow board members will join me in finding ways to cut or make operational changes that won't cost jobs first. Then we will have to make the hard choices of how to reduce overhead costs with the least impact on student education.
While there was a good number of teachers in attendance on Thursday, I hope that there are even more at the next session on 2/18. Your voices do factor into my decision making process, so please get up and speak or send e-mails or phone me or whatever, but please speak your mind (in a polite manner).
I appreciate each person that attended the session for taking the time to come and listen. For those that got up and spoke I thank you for giving your thoughts and feelings. I expected nothing less from our staff, so thank you for your passion and dedication to the children of our district.
I wish there was a golden parachute available to fix the districts budget issues. Unfortunately, the reality is that positions will probably have to be cut. I hope that my fellow board members will join me in finding ways to cut or make operational changes that won't cost jobs first. Then we will have to make the hard choices of how to reduce overhead costs with the least impact on student education.
While there was a good number of teachers in attendance on Thursday, I hope that there are even more at the next session on 2/18. Your voices do factor into my decision making process, so please get up and speak or send e-mails or phone me or whatever, but please speak your mind (in a polite manner).
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