Answers from the Board - December
December 2008
December 08, 2008
name: Carla Erickson
affiliation: Farragut District Member
question: If Farragut decides to whole-grade share with another school
1) How will curriculum, textbooks, etc. be decided upon?
2) How will staff members be selected to support the needs of whole-grade sharing (i.e. how will you decide which teachers, etc. to keep and which to let go)?
Carla,
Thanks for the very good question!
1) During Whole-Grade-Sharing (WGS) the curriculum, textbooks, and other instructional materials would remain controlled by the district the students would attend. In the model suggested at the last three school boards meeting, the elementary would remain in Farragut and thus use what they are currently using. The middle school and high school would use the instructional materials in which district those students attend. For example, if the high school would be located in Hamburg, their board would dictate the curriculum and textbooks that are used. The Iowa Core Curriculum would help simplify this question as the curriculum becomes more unified around the state.
2) In most WGS initiatives teachers are not reduced-in-force within the first couple years of starting the program. Attrition through retirement or job relocation reduces the teaching force. Teachers with multiple certifications will realign their position. In some WGS plans a teacher not needed in one district can be hired in the other district. An example of this could be a secondary upper level math teacher in District A that is not hosting the high school may leave and be hired by District B who is hosting the high school.
name: Lynn Ossian
affiliation: Farragut District Member
question: Do you want to keep a school in Farragut?
If so, you as a board need to get serious about the immediate needs of the district and also the future!
Are you ready to roll over and say goodbye to Farragut Community School? If so then continue down the path you are on.
If not then the board needs to have some serious meetings with the public and not just some last minute meetings, not publicized! You need to get the word out and have some long intense meetings, not over at 8:30 pm.
Is the board really serious about keeping the school and cutting cost?
Do you look at each month’s bills individually? Or are they just a minute on each month’s agenda?
What is the spending authorization of each level in the school? At what spending level does an item come before the board?
Along with whole grade sharing is the board also looking into the sharing of administration? Superintendents? Principles? Why do we need two principals?
Some serious questions need to be asked and talked about!
From the published board minutes it seems as though the board just agrees with what ever is presented? Who is challenging the system? The spending?
That is the board of education’s JOB!
You asked for comments and questions here are a few to get started! A lot of work needs to be completed are you up for it?
Mr. Ossian, thanks for your comments.
As required by law, all board meetings are advertised at the school and on the school website. Group board meetings are listed on the community calendar on KMA. Contrary to some rumors out in the public, there are no secret meetings of the board.
The board of education is serious about keeping a school in Farragut. Whole-Grade-Sharing is an option the board is considering as rural districts continue to lose enrollment and the cost of hosting an expansive secondary program increases. It is always been the priority of the board to offer a top-notch educational program.
Cutting costs at the district has been a directive for a decade. Each time there is a district within an hour’s drive there is a discussion on sharing administration. Currently the district hires 1.5 FTE principals. The half-time principal does not receive any benefits which lowers the cost in the elementary. When that principal is gone the superintendent and high school principal fills in for the elementary principal. In addition to sharing the superintendent is now the technology coordinator saving approximately $17,000. A cost savings to WGS would be to combine administration. Farragut 2.5 FTE, Hamburg 3.0 FTE, and Sidney 2.0 FTE
During last year’s meetings with the community a need to reduced staff was shared. Certified and non-certified positions were reduced at the end of the 2008 school year. Each year the board looks to ways to reduced expenditures in salaries.
Before each board meeting the board receives a packet that includes each month’s bills. The board then contacts the superintendent for clarification on bills before the board meeting. During the board meeting their might be other questions about the bills or late bills may be added due to our early board meeting (second Monday of the month).
All bills no matter the size come before the board for payment. Per board policy 705.1 (located on the website) the superintendent has the authority to authorize purchases without competitive bids for goods and services costing under $5,000 without prior board approval. Quotes are required for goods and services costing more than $5,000 and less than $25,000 and may be purchased prior to board approval. Competitive sealed bids are required for purchases, other than emergency purchases, for goods and services that cost $25,000 or more, including school buses.
The board hires the administration to run the district. Clear communication between the superintendent and the board allows the district to run smoothly. Each board member has a vote and uses it on how they fill about each situation. Board members routinely ask questions or get clarification before the board meeting so they know the facts of each situation.
Mr. Ossain,
Believe it or not your thoughts echo the feelings of the board. For years we have looked at our budget to cut out the items we thought we could eliminate without limiting opportunities for our students. Some of these include reducing the number of bus routes, moving from a school nurse to a health associate, sharing instructors over the ICN, reducing the elementary principal to a half time position, and most recently sharing our business manager with Sidney Schools.
We all need to remember where our money goes. 80% of the budget goes for salaries and benefits for our staff. The teachers belong to a union and bargain as a unit with the board to determine their compensation packages each year. The board can’t just decide to cut wages or benefits to save money.
After that the big hitters are utilities and fuel costs and insurance. We have worked to make our buildings more energy efficient and to curb our transportation costs. But we need to get our students to school and activities and we can’t expect children to wear coats and mittens to learn in darkened classrooms. As for insurance, just look at how your personal rates have increased in the last few years.
The facilities need to be and are well maintained. Books are regularly updated to stay current with new information and teaching methods. Technology is continually updated to keep up with a rapidly changing world. The list goes on.
We could cut back in areas but at what cost? Do we limit learning opportunities for our children to save our hometown school or is it better to change the school as we now see it to provide ample opportunities for all students regardless of their career path. As a community member would you support ending our VoAg, Auto Tech, Family Consumer Science, Art, Music, Speech, Drama, or Athletic Programs? I hope not!
It is the boards desire to maintain an elementary and either a middle or high school in our buildings. We are looking at all possibilities and welcome comments and other ideas.
Just remember that the school is in this situation because of continuing declines in student numbers and loss of budget guarantees from the state. Most every rural district in the state, regardless of size, is experiencing similar challenges. Let’s all work towards finding the best solution for this situation and not waste our time looking to blame.
Thank You for taking time to ask questions and express your concerns. Please feel free to continue the conversation.
Bob Lynn - Board President
