Citizens Finance Committee
Dr. Timothy MitchellRapid City Area Schools
12-5-11
Tale of Two Cities-Charles Dicken's
“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
Guiding Question
What must we have to provide a high quality
education for all students of the RCAS?
RCAS Mission
Building a community of life long learners, one student at a time.
RCAS Vision
All Rapid City Area School students will achieve to their full
potential.
RCAS Priorities
◦Guaranteed, Viable, Relevant Curriculum◦Life and Career skills◦Technology Literacy (21st century skills)◦Staff Effectiveness and Organizational Capacity-Building
◦Comprehensive System of Assessment◦Diverse Opportunities for students to learn and be academically successful
What is essential!!
Community SupportCommunity InvolvementCommunity Trust
Behavior
Key-Act responsibly and inspire confidence
without compromising authority
The Situation
Based upon 2011-2012 Presentation:
Reductions in the next 2 yrs to account for:
-8.6 % reduction in State Aid-$97 per student- one time money-Current 2.3% increase ($3.95 per student increase)
The Situation
2011-2012 Budget Includes:
-3.5 Mill in Fund Balance-2.7 Mill Capital Outlay Flexibility-Budget Reduction 1.98 Mill
The Strategy
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 expectations
Smart Money-Stretching the School Dollar
Four 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 effective
Overall Task of Committee-2009
1) The Budget Document-Communication2) District Budget Capacity-Sustain3) Fund Balance-Right Ratio4) Revenue Generation-Opportunities
Budget Capacity
Reduce Staff FTE’sReview Benefit PackageExplore Efficiencies-List in ReportReview Negotiated AgreementsReduce Administration ExpensePerform Classroom Staffing Ratio
Fund Balance
The committee recommended that the General Fund Balance be to a
targeted level of 12%
Concluding Comments
Reduce Staff and/or ProgramsIncrease Teacher to Student RatiosConsolidate or Close SchoolsChange State Funding Formula-Legislative
Process
Middle School
The length of school day variedThe number and length of class periods
variedOne School used Block SchedulePer Pupil Teacher Load variedThe number of classes taught variedSome Schools Prime Time-others Not
John Hattie-Visible Learning
Visible Learning synthesized the results of more than 15 years of research involving millions of students and it represents the
biggest collection of evidenced-based research into what actually works in
schools to improve learning.
John Hattie-Visible Learning
One 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.
The First Building Block
All Kids Can Learn ActivityWhy do we exist?This question challenges us to reflect on the fundamental purpose and the very reason for our existence
This question requires us to clarify priorities and gives us direction for our classrooms
The First Building Block
On the activity sheet you will find descriptions of four schools that operate under very different assumptions. Even though the educators within these schools would contend that they believe “all kids can learn,” they would respond to students who are not learning in very different ways
Please complete Activity
The First Building Block
-The first school views failure to learn as an indication that the student lacks the ability or motivation to master content. Based on this assessment, the school offers a less rigorous program as a solution-The second school considers failure an important part of the learning process-students who do not put forth the necessary effort must be taught individual responsibility and they are allowed to fail
The First Building Block
-The third school is prepared to accept responsibility for helping each student demonstrate some growth but is unwilling to establish high standards for all students. Here, too, the faculty members contend that they have little influence over the extent of an individual’s learning
The First Building Block
Clearly then, it is only the fourth school in the activity that offers a viable, modern-day approach to students who are not learning
The First Building Block
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 learning
The First Building Block
We expect our students to learn, and we work to fulfill
our collective responsibility to ensure that this learning takes place for all students
Learning is Our Work
The best way to improve a school or
district is by developing the
people within it!!
Instructional Calendar Proposal
A 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 Proposal
Reduction of Additional Pay and Temporary Staffing
Additional 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 staff
What does the future hold?
*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)?
The Work Continues
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 forward
Next Steps
Finalize the Administrative RecommendationPresentation to Budget and Finance CommitteePresentation to School Board
Presentation to Staff and Public◦Tuesday January 10, 2012-West Middle School◦Monday January 23, 2012-South Middle School◦Monday January 30, 2012-Dakota Middle School◦Tuesday February 7, 2012-North Middle School◦Monday February 27, 2012-Southwest Middle School
For You to Consider
*What type of additional information can we supply you so you feel comfortable with our current efforts? *Based upon the presentation today do you feel we are honoring your previous work?*Will you help review the Final Administrative Recommendation and give feedback prior to Public Hearings?*Will you review our plan and give feedback as to the communication of the Final Plan?*If the Final Plan meets with your approval will you help support it in the community?