Should We Conduct a Preliminary Study? Dansville and Keshequa Central School Districts December 3,...

Should We Conduct a Preliminary Study?

Dansville and Keshequa Central School Districts

December 3, 2013

William D. Silky and Alan D. PoleEducation Consultants

[email protected]/[email protected]

2

Why Merger May be Difficult

Fear of losing local identityPerception that the communities are

incompatibleUncertainty over board representationLess personal attention for studentsBusing time for students will be

increasedFear of losing job security by staffNatural resistance to change

Castallo & Silky-Education Consultants

3

Greater Expectations for Students

Common core requirements to be college and career ready

Elimination of local diploma for regular education students

Passing 5 Regents examsMore math, more science, more creditsFocus on increasing graduation ratesCut scores on the new common core assessmentsSignificant local support for students


4

Declining EnrollmentsMost school districts across New York State are experiencing

student enrollment declines

District 2003-04 2011-12 Difference

Dansville 1,686 1,552 -134 (-7.9%)

Keshequa 871 729 -142 (-16.3%)


5

Financial CrisisInequities in state funding…..GEAElimination of federal stimulus funding 2 years agoFringe benefit costs continue to increase (TRS up

16.5% for 2013-14)Districts spending down fund balances and reserves

(districts used $84 million for 2013-14 budgets)Utility costs are increasingState deficit??Cuts in state aidProperty tax caps


6

The Perfect Storm

Greater expectations and opportunities for all students

Declining student enrollment in many districts

Precarious financial condition 77% of Superintendents say they will not be able to fund mandates in 4 years; 18% says it will occur in two years.

Business as usual will not be an optionCastallo & Silky-Education Consultants

7

School District Reorganization


8

Why Consider Merger?Increase course offerings for studentsTeachers teach only in their area of specializationUpgrade facilities and equipment More cost effective administrative structureEliminate duplication of facilities, equipment,

and staffConsolidate and coordinate support functionsReduce taxes


9

Two Steps in the Merger ProcessThe Study-Conducted by consultants with oversight by a

local committee to provide information to the boards, the administration, and the communities

The Vote-Overseen by the State Education Department and the District Superintendent, boards sanction an advisory public referendum which, if successful, is followed by a final referendum


10

Components of the Study

Enrollment ProjectionsInstructional and Extra-curricular ProgramFinanceFacilitiesTransportationStaffing


11

The Merger StudyProvides information for school district officials, the

communities, and the CommissionerDescribes the other district…..AND what a merged

district might look likeFacilitated by consultantsOverseen by school/community advisory committee

of 16-18 peopleBoth boards of education decide how to proceed with

the final studyState funding has been available for studies


12

Time Line for the Study/Merger September-Boards meet to discuss study November-Committee appointed May-Study completed June-Study reviewed by S.E.D. August-Study presented to boards September-Public information and discussion November-Boards decide to go forth December-Advisory referendum January-Final referendum April-Vote for new board members May-Budget vote July 1-New district begins operation with

the new board of education


13

Mergers-What Research Tells Us

Curriculum opportunities for students will be enhanced

Extra-curricular opportunities for students will be enhanced

School buildings will be enhancedSome students will have a longer bus ride Class sizes tend to get largerTax rates on true value declineSchool district spending increases


14

The Finances of Merger-Part 1

Incentive Operating Aid

Combined operating/foundation aid (GEN Report-Part VII-2006-07) for both districts is increased as follows:

Year 1-40% Year 6-36% Year 11-16%Year 2-40% Year 7-32% Year 12-12%Year 3-40% Year 8-28% Year 13-8%Year 4-40% Year 9- 24% Year 14-4%Year 5-40% Year 10-20% Year 15-0%


15

Incentive Operating Aid for Dansville and Keshequa Merged District

Year

Dansville 2006-07

Operating Aid (CWR=.423)

Keshequa 2006-07

Operating Aid (CWR= .455)

Combined 2006-07

Operating Aid

Incentive Operating

Aid %

Incentive Operating

Aid

2015-16 (1) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 40% 4,009,010

2016-17 (2) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 40% 4,009,010

2017-18 (3) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 40% 4,009,010

2018-19 (4) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 40% 4,009,010

2019-20 (5) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 40% 4,009,010

2020-21 (6) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 36% 3,608,109

2021-22 (7) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 32% 3,207,208

2022-23 (8) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 28% 2,806,307

2023-24 (9) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 24% 2,405,406

2024-25 (10) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 20% 2,004,505

2025-26 (11) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 16% 1,603,604

2026-27 (12) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 12% 1,202,703

2027-28 (13) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 8% 801,802

2028-29 (14) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 4% 400,901

2029-30 (15) 6,448,528 3,573,997 10,022,525 0 -

TOTAL 38,085,595 Castallo & Silky-Education Consultants

16

The Finances of Merger-Part 2Incentive Building Aid

Additional 30% on top of the higher district’s selected building aid ratio up to

95% (98% for high needs districts) for 10 years for any new construction

Existing debt is aided at the higher of the previous districts’ selected building

aid ratios Enhanced Building Aid Ratios Dansville .926

Keshequa .955


17

The 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 Guideline for Incentive Operating Aid

1/3 to finance transition costs to the merged district

1/3 in reserves for long term fiscal stability1/3 to reduce taxes

Tax Rates on Full Value

Dansville $17.07

Keshequa $20.14


18

History of School District Reorganization in New York State

Year Number of Districts Decrease1870 11,3721890 11,216 1561910 10,565 6511930 9,118 1,4471940 6,397 2,7211950 3,189 3,2081960 1,293 1,8961970 760 5331980 739 211990 720 192000 704 162010 697 7


19

K-12 School Districts in New York State-2010

Size of District Number Enrollment Below 300 21 4,295 300-599 66 29,919 600-899 58 43,154 900-1199 88 91,388 1200-1499 59 78,395 1500-1999 78 135,092 2000-4999 182 590,078 5000-9999 70 474,394 10000 + 17 1,279,383


20

What Will the SED/Legislature Do???

NothingUpdate 1958 Master PlanDiscover the 1992 DS Reorganization PlansIncrease Incentives/DisincentivesCreate a Commission for School District

ReorganizationMandate ChangesOther


21

Next Steps for DistrictsDo nothingHave boards and administrators meet to

discuss issues and future options

Conduct pre-merger feasibility studyBegin merger studyOther???


22Castallo & Silky-Education Consultants

The Pre-Merger Feasibility Study

Would be conducted by consultants to determine if it is feasible to

engage in a full and complete merger study

Study is a shorter, much less detailed, and less expensive

23Castallo & Silky-Education Consultants

Why Do a Pre-Merger Feasibility Study?

It would inform the boards if there is the possibility of an educational

and fiscal benefit of mergerIt causes less disruption in the local

communitiesIt takes less time

24

Who Has Done a Pre-Merger Feasibility Study?

Romulus, Seneca Falls, South Seneca, and Waterloo

Alfred-Almond, Arkport, and Canaseraga


25

The Past………The FutureThe structure of school districts has changed

dramatically in the past centurySchool enrollments are projected to continue

to decline for at least the next 10 yearsMore will be required of our students in order

for our state and country to be leadersThe financial support for public schools will be

challenged in new and different waysBusiness as usual will not be an

option


26

Questions???


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Should We Conduct a Preliminary Study? Dansville and Keshequa Central School Districts December 3,...

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