2013-2014 Proposed Education Budget

“Upon the subject of education, and not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people may be engaged in.”

A B R A H A M L I N C O L N

ORANGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS:2013 – 2014 EDUCATION BUDGET

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Board of Education Members 3

Administrative Team 4

Superintendent’s Letter of Transmittal 5

Our Mission 7

Two Core Beliefs 9

Success Stories: Academics 10

Success Stories: Communications 16

Success Stories: Curriculum 18

Success Stories: Programs 21

Success Stories: Technology 23

Success Stories: Facilities 24

Success Stories: Financial 25

2013-2014 Budget Goals 26

District Class Sizes Over Time 29

Projected Class Sizes by School and Grade: MLT

30

Projected Class Sizes by School and Grade: RBS

31

Projected Class Sizes by School and Grade: THS

32

Projected Class Sizes by School and Grade: PPS

33

Increases over 2012-2013 Budget 34

Decreases from 2012-2013 Budget 37

Budget Summary 39

Comparisons with Other Towns 42

Conclusions 44

BOARD OF EDUCATION

William Kraut, Chair

Jody Dietch, Vice Chair

Debra Marino, Secretary

Jeff Cap

Amy Criscuolo

Keith Marquis

Scott Massey

Robert Ricciardi

Diane Brown

Susan Riccio

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Lynn K. McMullin, Superintendent

Colleen Murray, Director of Curriculum &

Principal, Mary L. Tracy School

Kai Graves, Director of Special Services

Kevin McNabola, Business Administrator

Michael Luzzi, Director of Facilities

Eric Carbone, Principal, Peck Place School

Michael Gray, Principal, Race Brook School

Stephen Bergin, Turkey Hill School

SUPERINTENDENT’S LETTER OF TRANSMITTALDear Members of the Orange Community,

I am pleased to present to the Board of Finance and the wider community a healthy and responsible budget for the upcoming 2013 – 2014 school year. The main objective of this spending plan is, of course, to maintain a high-quality education for our students, one that is rich in opportunities for their academic, social, and personal success and accessible to them through safe and nurturing environments. I continue to be disappointed that the current economic climate, which coupled with a devastating hurricane and an even more devastating tragedy in Newtown, has caused so much local hardship. We kept that in mind as the Board of Education, Administrative Team, and I worked through so many financial decisions. This budget is responsive to our children’s educational and safety needs, to the demands of a 21st Century skill-set, to our investment in our buildings and infrastructure, to the staff and their ongoing professional development, as well as to the constraints of these difficult times. Thus, the budget for the 2013-2014 year is $18,350,055, which represents an increase of 3.3%

The 2013-2014 budget moves the district forward in several key areas of growth: technology, security, and professional development. It meets the unfunded mandates associated with the new educator evaluation requirements. In addition, we negotiated four contracts in the past six months, and this budget meets all of those contractual obligations. At the same time, this budget recognizes factors such as lower enrollments and opportunities for savings in utilities and service contracts. Implicit in the reductions we have outlined is a restructuring of our programs, instruction, and support services. The conversations have been deep and meaningful, and the leadership team and Board of Education are confident in the course of action presented here.

“It’s our investments in education that pay the best interest.”

It should be noted that we faced two significant realities. The first was that, with the previous year’s reductions in staffing and the consolidating of two positions at the Central Office level, we had already trimmed the personnel budget close to the bone. This year two additional positions were reduced; but there remain few line items to cut. The second is that the previous five year’s budgets had been responsible to the economic crises, with increases of only 0 – 1%; and as a result, many important updates to the curriculum, buildings, and systems have been unfavorably neglected. We are a turning point now, and merely meeting our contractual increases and paying our bills cannot be our only goals for the future when our town’s prestige and property values are inextricably linked to the quality of our schools. It is easy to be a visionary leader when economic times are abundantly good, but true vision fosters a commitment to investing in education especially when times are difficult.

So, what are those investments? First, we have maintained the smaller class sizes that have become the hallmark of this district, acknowledging they are smaller than is typical in other communities. Second, we have supported technological investments which will bring the district closer to the one-to-one ratio needed for the Smarter Balance testing in 2015 and closer to the 21st century instructional models which engage students in skills and understandings they will soon need for their world of work, not ours. Third, we have included a sum of money earmarked for the additional security projects we may uncover as more information comes to us from those who, in the wake of Sandy Hook, are engaged in the study of new prevention measures! Finally, we have included the professional development we will need to implement the unfunded state-mandated teacher and administrator evaluation plans and the changeover to the Common Core Standards in Language Arts.

Respectfully submitted,Lynn K. McMullinSuperintendent of Schools

“Education is more than a luxury; it is a responsibility that society owes to itself.”

The Orange Elementary School District recognizes that the education of each child is the shared responsibility of every member of our community.

Our goal is to inspire and empower each student to achieve academic excellence, embrace social and individual responsibility, and lead with integrity. We believe all individuals should be valued and treated with respect.

OUR MISSION

WE ARE COMMITED TO:

• Providing powerful academic challenges

• Respecting individual and community values

• Nurturing personal growth

• Taking pride in our children and celebrating their successes

• Promoting school and community spirit

• Enhancing lifelong learning through technology

• Believing all children deserve a childhood

• Creatively, confidently building the future

Together we will make a difference.

TWO CORE BELIEFS … IN PRESENTING THIS BUDGET

That merely meeting our contractual increases and paying our bills cannot be our only goals for the future when our town’s prestige and property values are inextricably linked to the quality of our schools and our own futures are inextricably linked to the preparation of our students.

That it is easy to be a visionary leader when economic times are abundantly good; but true vision, and true courage, fosters a commitment to investing in education especially when times are difficult. If I can foster that vision and commitment, I will have succeeded.

CONTENT AREA2006

% of Grade 6 at GOAL

2011% of Grade 6 at

GOAL

2012% of Grade 6 at

GOAL

MATH 78.2% 93.4% 92.4%

READING 79.7% 91.2% 91.2%

WRITING 77.8% 87.1% 87.2%

2012 – 2013 SUCCESS STORIES: ACADEMICS

Over the past five to six years, test scores have improved. Below you can see scores at Goal. In 2012, we began tracking the Advanced band: 60% scored Adv. In Math, 41% SCORED Adv. In Reading, and 46% scored Adv. In Writing.

YEARMATHEMATICS

DRG B RankREADING

DRG B RankWRITING

DRG B Rank

2006 12th of 21 18th of 21 17th of 21

2011 3rd of 21 6th of 21 4th of 21

2012 4th of 21 1st of 21 8th of 21


A renewed focus on differentiating for students at the upper Advanced band should maintain and strengthen Orange’s position at the top of our DRG. However, teachers in Orange have maintained their focus on meaningful, rigorous project-based learning, as well. A new Math curriculum has a strong problem-solving component.

Grade 32008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Reading 62.4% 70.5% 80.9% 71.7% 75.9%Writing 80.5% 72.9% 79.3% 72.5% 75.3%Math 78.8% 84.3% 86.0% 86.1% 81.3%

Grade 4

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Reading 71.4% 78.1% 78.7% 87.0% 79.5%

Writing 83.3% 76.3% 80.5% 91.4% 83.3%

Math 80.8% 85.8% 89.5% 90.3% 85.3%

Longitudinal Improvements in % of students at Goal or above.


Grade 52008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Reading 75% 88.8% 83.1% 75.8% 92.2%Writing 82.2% 91.2% 89.1% 86.7% 87.1%Math 83.2% 91% 91.6% 92.9% 92.4%Science -- 69% 76% 81% 89.8%

Grade 62008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Reading 78.8% 88.8% 92.3% 91.2% 91.2%Writing 77.9% 87.7% 88.7% 87.2% 87.2%Math 81.5% 90.4% 95.9% 93.4% 92.4%

Longitudinal Improvements in % of students at Goal or above.


Grade 5 (in 2012)2010

3rd grade2011

4th grade2012

5th grade% change

Reading -- 80.9% 87% 92.2% +11.4Writing -- 79.3% 91.4% 87.1% +7.8Math -- 86% 90.3% 92.4% +6.4

Grade 6 (in 2012)2009

3rd grade2010

4th grade2011

5th grade2012

6th grade% change

Reading 70.5% 78.7% 75.8% 92.2% +21.7Writing 72.9% 80.5% 86.7% 87.2% +14.3Math 84.2% 89.5% 92.9% 92.4% +8.2

Growth over time: Achievement at Goal or above, same cohort


2012 – 2013 SUCCESS STORIES: COMMUNICATIONS

• Implementation of a new webpage at oess.org.o Improved first impression and created focus on

childreno All previous content was reformatted and moved to

new siteo New content was addedo Up-to-date, trustworthy calendar

o Regularly updated district news

o Added ‘news bite’ pop-upso Virtual backpack for each

schoolo RSS-feedo ‘Search’ featureo SlideShare reportso Superintendent’s Blog


• Implementation of a new webpage at oess.org.

August 2012 - March 10, 2013

• 75,500 visits to the site• 22,000 unique visits • 96% view in English• #of pages per visit: 4.4• Peaks:

o First day of school: 3,350 visits

o Hurricane Sandy: 4,400 visitso February snow storm: 4,300

SlideShare: 3,368 views“Security Presentation” = 108 views in February – March


• Conducted satisfaction surveys of parents, staff, and students in Grade 2, 4, and 6o Strategic Planning

Committee developed a 3-year plan

o Administrative Team analyzed results

o Schools set improvement goals

• Special Education conducted satisfaction survey and reported on results

• Implementation of the new math curriculum, Math Expressions

• Built capacity for adoption of the Common Core Standards in Language Arts and Math

• Expansion of Accelerated Reader to Peck Place and Race Brook

• Implementation of Dreambox Math (Scientifically Researched-Based Intervention – SRBI)

• Multiple pilots of additional math tools

• Implementation of Lexia (SRBI)

2012 – 2013 SUCCESS STORIES: CURRICULUM


• Development of Common Assessments in Specials (Art, Music, PE, Library, WL)

• Implemented ‘Student Success Plans’ using Naviance in Grade 6

• Provided TEAM workshops to support new teachers

• Expanded ELL program to meet needs (18 to 41 students)

• Developed a standards-based report card in PowerSchool for fall 2013


• Supported Math Expressions with on-line parent resources

• Provided on-line student and teacher resources

• Expanded the Instrumental Music Program to include more students, more grades, more performances

• Implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports at Race Brook and Turkey Hill

• Piloting the SBAC Test at Peck Place and Race Brook

• Administered the NEAP Test at Race Brook (randomly selected)

2012 – 2013 SUCCESS STORIES: PROGRAMS

• Wrote a new Teacher Evaluation Plan to meet state mandate

• Established a full-time, two-person Technology Department

• Inventoried equipment and developed a short-term and long-term replacement and maintenance plan

• Recycled outdated equipment

2012 – 2013 SUCCESS STORIES: TECHNOLOGY

• Installed 2 COWS (Computers-on-Wheels) per school

• Installed iPad cart at MLT

• Began the implementation of PowerSchool for August 2013

• Negotiated a contract for increased bandwidth for fiber-optics

• Completed a printer analysis of 168 devices; developed a plan to save $18,000 which was reinvested into better technology

• Upgraded the email system from antiquated undersized system to a free cloud-based solution

• Upgraded the wireless and wired networks

• Supported Security Plan with state-of-the art technologieso ID badges, card readers, visitor management, cameras

2012 – 2013 SUCCESS STORIES: TECHNOLOGY

• Prepared five key facilities projects for Bond Package

• Planned a responsible and comprehensive Security Plan for Bond Package

• Secured and recovered from two significant weather events

• Restored Mary L. Tracy meeting room

• Secured Natural Gas hook-ups for Turkey Hill and Race Brook

• Implemented removal of unsafe appliances from classrooms (safety/energy savings)

2012 – 2013 SUCCESS STORIES: FACILITIES

• Replaced main stage curtains at Turkey Hill

2012 – 2013 SUCCESS STORIES: FINANCIAL

• Negotiated four contracts: custodial, cafeteria, teacher, paraprofessionals

• Negotiated gas energy savings of $18,000

• Completed RFPs and ED-049 Application for Bonded Projects; ongoing bond application work

• Implemented 0-based budgeting, consolidated budget lines, allocated expenses to proper accounts

• Implemented energy-conservation projects with UI (interior and exterior lighting)

THE 2013 – 2014 BUDGET…meeting our contractual increases and paying our bills cannot be our only goals for the future

… it’s easy when times are abundantly good; but takes courage when times are difficult.

This Budget:

• 0-Based Budgeting

• Maintains the smaller class sizes = hallmark of the community

• Supports technological investments = bring us closer to 1:1 needed for SBAC and 21st century instructional models

• Meets the unfunded mandates of TEVAL

• Meets our contractual obligations

• Modestly addresses changes in school security

2013-2014 GOAL #1: TECHNOLOGY

• Implementation of PowerSchool, new student information system with a Parent Portal

• Secure district servers in locked, air-conditioned racks

• Replace desk-top printers with multi-function copiers

• Create an automated, searchable, on-line BOE Policy Manual

• Improve connectivity among schools

• Additional laptops for student use

• Replace old CRT monitors with LCD monitors (significant energy savings)

2013-2014 GOAL #2: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

• Meet mandate for 18-hour ‘calibration training; and 7-hour ‘qualification testing’ for supervisors for Teacher Evaluation Plan (TEVAL)

• Implement Language Arts Common Core Standards

• Provide curriculum and meet the requirements for services in a burgeoning ELL program (18 students in 2011 to 41 students in 2012)

• Provide security monitors for all afterschool activities and programs

DISTRICT CLASS SIZES OVER TIME

These three charts show DRG A and DRG B data from the October 1, 2010, Strategic School Profiles (SSP), the last published reports available. This projection assumes none of these other districts increased their class sizes over the past three years. To the data, "Orange 2013" was added based on the projected 2013 Class Sizes. As evidenced, class sizes have not risen over time.

Sorted smallest to largest by Grade K Sorted smallest to largest by Grade 2 Sorted smallest to largest by Grade 5

2013- 2014 PROJECTED CLASS SIZE: MLT

SchoolProjected Population

Projected Class Size

District Total 1198

Mary L. Tracy – Kindergarten / Pre-K

146 (8) 24 Pre-K (2)

Current Actual = 154 / 19

Prediction = 126 / 25

15/16 (K)12 (pre-K)

Race BrookCurrent Actual =

374Prediction = 373

Turkey HillCurrent Actual =

321Prediction = 302

Peck PlaceCurrent Actual =

383Prediction = 372

2013- 2014 PROJECTED CLASS SIZE: RBS

School Projected PopulationProjected Class

Size

District Total 1198

Mary L. Tracy Kindergarten

126 / 25 Pre-K

Race Brook 373

Grade 1 56 (3) 18/19

Grade 2 51 (3) 17

Grade 3 58 (3) 19/20

Grade 4 70 (4) 17/18

Grade 5 64 (4) 16

Grade 6 74 (4) 18/19

Turkey Hill 302

Peck Place 372Reduction of one position

2013- 2014 PROJECTED CLASS SIZE: THS


Size

District Total 1198

Mary L. Tracy Kindergarten 126 / 25 Pre-K

Race Brook 373

Turkey Hill 302

Grade 1 46 (3) 15/16

Grade 2 50 (3) 16/17

Grade 3 45 (3) 15

Grade 4 52 (3) 17/18

Grade 5 59 (3) 19/20

Grade 6 50 (3) 16/17

Peck Place 372

2013- 2014 PROJECTED CLASS SIZE: PPS


Size

District Total 1198

Mary L. Tracy Kindergarten

126 / 25 Pre-K

Race Brook 373

Turkey Hill 302

Peck Place 377

Grade 1 58 (3) 19/20

Grade 2 59 (3) 19/20

Grade 3 59 (3) 19/20

Grade 4 74 (4) 18

Grade 5 53 (3) 17/18

Grade 6 69 (4) 17/18

Reduction of one position

ADDITIONS OVER 12 - 13 BUDGET

• 1.75% -- Overall contractual increase, OTL

• $125,000 – Employee Benefits

• $16,500 – Transportation

• $90,000 – Special Education

o $10,000 – Expand Lexia to SE students

o $40,000 – Special Education services, based on IEPs and tuition increases

o $26,000 – Contractual increases


• $52,200 -- School Security Monitors• 2:00 – 9:00 p.m.• all schools• partially off-set by 21st Century

• $12,000 -- Reinstate CABE Membership and set-up on-line BOE policy service

• $72,000 -- .5 ELL Teacher; .16 Language Arts Curriculum Specialist at MLT; .70 Band Teacher

• $23,000 -- 2 Reading Aides moved into BOE operating budget from grant


• $35,000 – PowerSchool, additional Lexia seats, Dreambox, TEVAL software

• $20,000 – iPad learning labs at three* elementary schools (*funded, along with SmartBoards, at MLT through pre-K tuitions)

• $20,000 – Security upgrades; technology, software, equipment

• $7,000 – Expand Special Education summer school to include 1.5 hours in both reading and math (vs. either/or)

DECREASES FROM 12 - 13 BUDGET

• - $93,000 – 2.0 classroom teachers; Peck Place and Race Brook

• - $20,000 -- .5 World Language teacher

• - $12,000 – Curriculum Budget: testing, LA implemented without purchase

• - $73,200 –Substitute costs (new PD model)

• - $47,000 – Heat (conversion to gas)

• $0 – 1.5 FTE: one SE paraprofessional at each school will be re-trained in ESL (reduction /addition)

BUDGET SUMMARY

2011 – 2012Expended

Actual

2012 – 2013Approved

2013 – 2014Proposed

% Increase

Administration(Security Monitors, CABE) $468,682 $486,660 $566,288 + 16.4%

Curriculum(*re-org of positions)

$170,381 $349,075* $337,293 - 3.4%

Classroom Teacher Salaries(1.75% contractual increase)

$6,234,016 $6,364,736 $6,388,781 + 0.4%

All Other Instruction(salaries, iPad labs, technology)

$1,302,819 $1,579,177 $1,760,636 + 11.4%

Special Education $3,666,182 $3,178,328 $3,267,725 + 2.8%

Transportation $694,324 $735,607 $752,094 + 2.2%

Building Operations

$982,840 $1,011,432 $1,004,398 - 0.7%

Plant Maintenance $450,472 $447,882 $470,882 + 5.1%

Employee Benefits $3,450,241 $3,499,907 $3,624,943 + 3.6%

SUMMARY OF TOTAL REQUEST

2011 - 2012 Expended Budget:

$17,478,076

2012-2013 Approved Budget: $17,766,888

2013-2014 Proposed Budget: $18,250,055

Difference: $483,167

Difference in percent: + 2.7%

THIS YEAR's BUDGET:

Orange's proposed increase for this year is 2.7%, 58th among 75 districts.

The average proposed increase was 4.0%. The high was 8.3% (Colchester). The low was .7% (Woodbridge).

The average adopted increase this year -- among the 51 districts who have adopted budgets -- is 3.7%.

The high is 8.3% (East Haddam, the BOE increased .9% over the proposed). The low is .5% (Redding).

Top ½ of the chart

Bottom ½ of the chart

Average % Over Last TWO years:

Over the past two years, the average increase among districts is 2.8%.

The high is East Haddam at 6.4% average. The low is Region #1 at .3%.

If adopted, Orange's average over the two years will be 1.9% (based on 1% last year, 2.7 % this year). This would rank 41st among the 51 schools with adopted budgets thus far.

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0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

7.0%

8.0%

9.0%

DRG BOrange

2013 – 2014 PROPOSED BUDGET INCREASES

2-YEAR AVERAGE INCREASE (WITH 2.7% APPROVED)

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

7.0%

DRG BOrange

CONCLUSIONS

• The 2.7% increase requested this year is well within the bottom half of reporting districts.

• This 2.7% follows a five-year pattern of 1.0% of below increases:

• This budget finally goes beyond meeting contractual increases and paying the bills.

• Other districts are taking that ‘leap of faith’ and investing in education this year.

% Year

0.9 2009-10

1.0 2010-11

0.6 2011-12

1.0 2012-13

2.7 2013-14

1.2 5 years

Date post:	18-Dec-2014
Category:	Education
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