R.E.A.D.
Local District Advocacy & R.E.A.D.’s Work on Unfunded Mandates
READ School Districts: Brewster, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson, Highland Falls/Fort Montgomery, Lakeland
R.E.A.D. Started in 2004
Member districts include Brewster, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson, Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery, Lakeland
Superintendents and board trustees
The seven R.E.A.D. districts represent…
Over 85,000 residents,
14,900 students, and
Approximately $365 million spending on schools. R.E.A.D. Presentation,
Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference 2
R.E.A.D.Mission
To improve public education by combining the vision, talents, and resources of neighboring districts to advocate among:
Local, state, and national legislators
Media
State-wide associations and groups
The local community
R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference 3
R.E.A.D.Why Local Advocacy?
Sounding board for districts with similar interests.
Enhances commitment. Does not conflict with state or regional school
board associations. Orients members to political landscape. Provides insight into other local districts.
R.E.A.D.
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R.E.A.D.R.E.A.D.R.E.A.D.Key Goals Driving R.E.A.D. Advocacy Fair and sufficient funding for all districts
Relief from state and federal mandates
More effective local school board function and control
Relief from standardized tests
Specific Focus (Past 3 Years) Rolling back unfunded mandates, by making lawmakers aware of their
actual costs
Sharing cost saving ideas among the R.E.A.D. districts
TRS and ERS pension fund shortfalls
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R.E.A.D.Unfunded MandatesUnfunded Mandates
R.E.A.D. created a template that itemizes and presents information on estimating the cost of unfunded mandates.
Over 90 mandates are included, segmented into categories:
Special Education & Special Services
NCLB Requirements/ Academic Intervention Services AIS/RTI
Transportation
Health & Safety Buildings & Grounds Finance
Professional Development
R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference
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R.E.A.D.Unfunded MandatesUnfunded Mandates
State, Federal and SED mandates are included.
Does not include mandates which R.E.A.D. feels are necessary district obligations.
Does not include costs associated with Benefits (retirement system, health, etc.), Wick’s Law (over the life of the loan), Triborough and other major benefit, negotiation or construction costs.
The compilation is an objective view of mandate costs. Each mandate has cost consequences whether or not they are
beneficial.The list is continuously updated and revised to be a more accurate
representation of mandate obligations. The most recent revision is an update developed in December
2009.R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference 7
R.E.A.D.Unfunded MandatesUnfunded Mandates
Be informed: We need to understand where and how funding is spent.
Responsible leadership: We represent taxpayers. These mandates are paid for by local
property taxes.
Accountability and transparency: School districts must show how they spend money.
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R.E.A.D.Mandate Cost CalculationMandate Cost Calculation
Each district compiles their own data. NYSBBA and Westchester Putnam School Board Association (WPSBA)
are helping to coordinate the effort.
Definitions for mandate have been developed so that districts are consistent in identifying costs associated with mandates. Methods for estimating personnel hours and other costs, ST3 locations,
etc. are provided to make cost calculations easier.
Templates for estimating testing costs and Wick’s law costs are provided.
R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference
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R.E.A.D.Unfunded MandatesUnfunded Mandates
Categories, descriptions, and account codes are provided. School districts provide actual amounts.
Aid is subtracted from total costs.
R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference
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As per ST3)/Descriptions . (These are codes we think are applicable. You might code things differently in your district.)
R.E.A.D.The Cost of The Cost of Unfunded MandatesUnfunded Mandates In FY ‘08-09, the total cost for these unfunded mandates for seven
districts was $94.4 million, or an average of 20% of the entire school budget.
Total School District Budgets: $464.8 million
Source: Unfunded Mandate spreadsheet, 8 districts, FY ’08-’09: Brewster, Carmel, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson, Highland Falls/Fort Montgomery, Lakeland
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R.E.A.D.The Cost of The Cost of Unfunded MandatesUnfunded Mandates In FY ‘07-’08, the total cost for nine Westchester and Putnam
Districts was $222.2 million dollars or an average of 16.3% of the entire school budget.
Total School District Budgets: $682.5 million
Source: Unfunded Mandate spreadsheet, 9 districts, FY ’07-’08: Brewster, Briarcliff, Chappaqua, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick Hudson, Lakeland, and White Plains
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R.E.A.D.The Cost of The Cost of Unfunded MandatesUnfunded Mandates
Source: Unfunded Mandate spreadsheet, 8 districts FY ’08-’09: Brewster, Carmel Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson, Highland Falls/Fort Montgomery, Lakeland
*Other = Health & Safety (1.4%), Finance (.4%), Buildings and Grounds and other (category not specified) mandates (<1%)
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R.E.A.D.Statewide CostsStatewide Costs
Statewide Costs for Unfunded Mandates 675 Districts
Total FY '08-09 budget for 675 districts $30,805,193,773
% of budget that is due to unfunded mandates 20%
Total Statewide Cost of Unfunded Mandates (extrapolated) $6,161,038,755
* Not including big 5 cities and special act districts.
Source: Unfunded Mandate spreadsheet, 8 districts FY ’08-’09: Brewster, Carmel Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson, Highland Falls/Fort Montgomery, Lakeland
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R.E.A.D.
~26.1% of state budget~26.1% of state budget
Potential Cost to StatePotential Cost to State
State Costs for Prekindergarten, Primary,
Secondary and Continuing Education
680 school districts, 3 million students
Total state
budget$78,998 billion
Education spending
by NYS$20.6 billion
Spending on Mandates by
NY State
~30% of state spending on PK-12/continuing ed*
~8% of total state budget
*Mandates based on extrapolation to 675 districts, state spending is based on 680 districts. Most likely percents would be higher.
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R.E.A.D.The Cost of The Cost of Unfunded MandatesUnfunded Mandates
The numbers add up quickly for eight school districts...
Over $587,881 in testing costs.
Over $151,460 in internal audit costs.
Over $541,093 in data warehousing costs.
Over $287,338 in special education legal costs.
Over $66,185 in Special Education (STAC) reporting.
Over $118,000 in clerical costs associated with professional development & monitoring highly qualified teacher requirements.
Over $209,779 in inspections, monitoring, and compliance (OSHA, DEC, elevators, fire safety, extinguishers).
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Source: Unfunded Mandate spreadsheet, 8 districts FY ’08-’09: Brewster, Carmel Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson, Highland Falls/Fort Montgomery, Lakeland
R.E.A.D.The True Cost Of Unfunded Mandates
Total Costs for Seven Districts
Average Cost Per District
Extrapolated Over 675 Districts*
Testing $587,881 $73,485 $49,602,459
Internal audit and risk assessment $151,460 $18,933 $12,779,438
Data warehousing $541,093 $67,637 $45,654,722
Special Education legal costs $287,338 $35,917 $24,244,144
Special Education (STAC) reporting. $66,185 $8,273 $5,584,359 Clerical costs associated with professional development & monitoring highly qualified teacher requirements. $118,000 $14,750 $9,956,250 Inspections, monitoring, and compliance (OSHA, DEC, elevators, fire safety, extinguishers $209,779 $26,222 $17,700,103
Total Costs for Select Mandates $1,961,736 $245,217 $165,521,475
* Not including big 5 cities and special act districts.
Source: Unfunded Mandate spreadsheet, 8 districts FY ’08-’09: Brewster, Carmel Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson, Highland Falls/Fort Montgomery, Lakeland
The Cost of The Cost of Unfunded MandatesUnfunded Mandates
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R.E.A.D.Why Bother?Why Bother?
Financial evidence of the burden of legislative actions and impact on schools and the tax payer.
Compelling financial argument to legislators and for legislators to use with others.
Explanation provided to taxpayer.
Going Forward –
Argument for involving superintendents and trustees in review of legislation so that they can identify hidden costs.
Argument for financial calculation of the cost of bills before they become law.
Argument in opposition to a highly restrictive tax cap.
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R.E.A.D. Unfunded mandate reduction act, following the lines of the federal paperwork
reduction act. Requires a cost estimate for each new mandate from the legislature or the education
department. These costs would be calculated for the different types of local districts and accumulated for a statewide total mandate cost.
Reduce school districts printing costs bill Permits school districts to circulate and publish documents electronically, using district or
BOCES websites. Paper copies of documents would be prepared and mailed only on request, on an ‘opt-in’ basis.
NYSED would be required to accept the STACS special education reports in electronic
form. Legislation to reduce the cost of the new controller’s audits, which have cost
taxpayers more to conduct than they have saved. Reduce the frequency to every two years Streamline the requirements on districts who have had clean records for two cycles, to a
half-cost audit.
Support for the bill allowing amortization of TRS payments (Member Abbate’s Bill Number A06309 - Same as State Senate Number S 4067).
Legislation Initial RequestLegislation Initial RequestMay 2011May 2011
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R.E.A.D. Advocacy - 5 NYSSBA Resolutions (3 Adopted, 2
Proposed)
Two R.E.A.D. resolutions this year, identified as Hendrick Hudson SD resolutions, concerning pension fund and testing relief, supported by all R.EA.D districts.
The Gazette
Media Exposure
Government Meetings with LegislatorsProvided unfunded mandate data/ analysis to SED, Commission on Real Property Tax Relief, Commission on Unfunded MandatesWorking with Assemblywoman Galef on mandate relief.
School Districts
Original mandate template completed by 9 districts.Other local advocacy groups have formed.
20Successes
R.E.A.D.How to Start an Local Advocacy Group
Consider… Location Common issues Shared legislators Commitment (monthly meetings, website, goals)
R.E.A.D.
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R.E.A.D.How to calculate your unfunded mandate costs and participate in the larger initiative.
Email [email protected] for copy of unfunded mandate, testing, and Wick’s law template.
OR
Double click on icon for a copy of the unfunded mandate worksheet. Unfunded Mandate,
Wick’s Law and Testing Templates
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R.E.A.D.
Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Worksheet
R.E.A.D.
QUESTIONS
R.E.A.D.
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R.E.A.D.Brewster Central School District30 Farm to Market RoadBrewster, NY 10509SuperintendentDr. Jane [email protected] of Board of EducationDr. Stephen [email protected]
Haldane Central School District15 Craigside DriveCold Spring, NY 10516SuperintendentDr. Mark [email protected] of Board of EducationDavid [email protected]
Hendrick Hudson Central School District61 Trolley RoadMontrose, NY 10548SuperintendentDr. Daniel [email protected]: 914-257-5112President of Board of EducationMarion [email protected]
R.E.A.D.
R.E.A.D.Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery School District PO Box 287Highland Falls, NY 10928 SuperintendentDr. Debra [email protected] (845) 446-9575President of the Board of EducationKevin D'[email protected]
Lakeland Central School District1086 East Main StreetShrub Oak, NY 10588SuperintendentDr. George [email protected], ext. 222President of Board of EducationElizabeth Kogler
R.E.A.D.
R.E.A.D.Croton-Harmon Union Free School District10 Gerstein StreetCroton-On-Hudson, NY 10520SuperintendentDr. Edward R. Fuhrman Jr.*[email protected] of Board of EducationKaren [email protected]
Garrison Union Free School District1100 Route 9DGarrison, NY 10524SuperintendentGloria J. Colucci*[email protected] of Board of EducationCarol [email protected],
* R.E.A.D. Co-Chairs for 2010-2011
Website: http://www.READ1.Org
R.E.A.D.
