DRIVE: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Dr. Timothy MitchellRapid City Area Schools 11-22-11State of School Address

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

I believe in possibility-specifically the possibility that we could can create the best of times if we choose

If we are willing to think carefully-be motivated as to what is best for children-have open honest and factual dialogue about the issues we are facing

Tale of Two Cities-Charles Dicken'sMost people believe today that public schools ask for more money to support the status quo:

*Many people do not understand the challenges facing public schools*A vocal minority is dominating the conversation, and that conversation is often based upon mythsReality CheckIf you dont like change, youre going to like irrelevance even lessChallenging the Status QuoMind your pennies, nickels and dimes and your dollars will fall in place2011-2012 Budget ManagementBased upon 2011-2012 Presentation:Reductions in 2 yrs to account for:-8.6 % reduction in State Aid-$97 per student- one time moneyThe Situation2011-2012 Budget Includes:

-3.5 Mill in Fund Balance-2.7 Mill Capital Outlay Flexibility-Budget Reduction 1.98 MillThe SituationWhat must we have to provide a high quality education for all students of the RCAS?Control the ConversationBuilding a community of life long learners, one student at a time.

RCAS MissionAll Rapid City Area School students will achieve to their full potential.

RCAS VisionGuaranteed, Viable, Relevant CurriculumLife and Career skillsTechnology Literacy (21st century skills)Staff Effectiveness and Organizational Capacity-BuildingComprehensive System of AssessmentDiverse Opportunities for students to learn and be academically successful

RCAS PrioritiesKey-Act responsibly and inspire confidence without compromising authority2012-2013Community SupportCommunity InvolvementCommunity TrustWhat is essential!!To become as Effective and Efficient as possible

To become as Innovative and Creative as possible

To guide a conversation to the determine the expectations for public schools-support ways to meet those expectationsThe StrategyThe process-So Far- has included:

-utilizing every opportunity to explain the situation

-a review of current expenditures-Where is the $$ going

-reminding people of the mission and priorities2012-2013Four resource shifts with great potential:

-away from quantity of staff towards quality-from remediation to early identification-from isolated practitioners to teacher teams-from full-time teachers toward alternative, creative, and effectiveControl the ConversationI have included:Building Principals & Budget Authority (direct meetings)Staff/Public (presentations, videos, e-mails, letters and meetings)Budget and Finance Committee (Two meetings this month)School Board

2012-2013One of the fascinating outcomes of research on school effects is the number of issues in education where achievement evidence is close to zero but the heat is as high as it is as if it would be if the policy were obviously effective. Control the Conversation Significant finding: The most successful schools function as a professional learning community:Teachers pursue a clear shared purposeEngage in collaborative workTake collective responsibility for student learningThe First Building BlockWe expect our students to learn, and we work to fulfill our collective responsibility to ensure that this learning takes place for all students The First Building BlockLearning is Our WorkThe best way to improve a school or district is by developing the people within it!!21A bi-monthly early release time district-wide to enhance student learning by allowing teachers time to plan as teams, create common formative assessments and learning targets, do data charts to monitor student progress, create enrichment lessons and move forward any future district initiatives

Instructional Calendar ProposalReduction of Additional Pay and Temporary StaffingAdditional Time to implement district prioritiesTransportation SavingsLess Substitutes and Higher Quality Contact TimeAll staff could be involved with implementationImproves the learning of all studentsBuilds collective capacity of the staffInstructional Calendar ProposalCentral High School Phase IEast Middle SchoolNew Attendance Boundaries (MS/HS)Consolidation of Alternative Programs (Fall 2013)All Day Everyday KindergartenInstructional Calendar (Proposed)

2012-2013 What is NEW?Will student number continue to increase?Will current cash balances remain stable?Compensation/Benefits/Negotiations?What will happen in the Legislative Session?What will happen at the Federal level?Will the efforts of SD Moving Forward be successful (Sales Tax Initiative)?

What does the future hold?I will continue to review ideas that come forwardPut together a Budget Reduction Plan to discuss with School Board and PublicAttrition/Resignations/RetirementsBudget Modifications-Under spendingIf any items are removed from the plan others will need to be brought forwardThe Work ContinuesFinalize the Administrative RecommendationPresentation to Budget and Finance CommitteePresentation to School BoardPresentation to Citizens Finance Committee (Dec 5)Presentation to Staff and PublicTuesday January 10, 2012-West Middle SchoolMonday January 23, 2012-South Middle SchoolMonday January 30, 2012-Dakota Middle SchoolTuesday February 7, 2012-North Middle SchoolMonday February 27, 2012-Southwest Middle School

Next Steps When the occasion is piled high with difficulty, rise with it. Think anew and act anewLincoln on Leadership