With all the talk about cutting the state support for schools I though some details of how we spend our general fund money should be shared. Here is a quick rundown of how $11,745,485 was spent in 2009.
Employee Benefits and salary $ 10,710,305.70
Substitutes $ 146,629.91 Includes sick and personal days
(From Professional Development , 227 days 215.5 non-Federal at $80 = $17,200 so realistically might save $12,500)
Staff Development $ 24,545.46 Some savings possible
Contracted Services $ 42,407.24 Fixed
Utilities $ 160,159.28 Some savings possible
(Utilities show this low because $384,000 is spent through Capital Project Fund)
Other services $ 28,015.99 Fixed
Property Insurance $ 89,211.75 Fixed
Board Expenses $ 3,193.22 This was down ~$5000 from prior years.
Tuition $ 102,204.81 TROY/YIC, School for Blind, not our control
Travel $ 33,507.48 Down $10,000 from 2008
(Maximum save additional $24000)
Dues Fees $ 19,633.18 Some savings possible
Supplies $ 345,163.12 Up $26, 719 from 2008 need to save here
Library Materials $ 27,396.55
Equipment $ 28,704.28 (Truck – once every three year purchase)
Bank Charges $ 7,601.04 Fixed
Offset Temp loan $ - 23,248.79 Not in 2010
Those that read my newsletter know that we need to trim between $450,000 and $830,000 for 2010 and another $290,000 for 2011 as the stimulus money will not be available also the $504,000 cut in 2010 will not be made up in 2011. So over two year we are talking $1.25 million Like I said, we together will figure this out and stand tall as Whitko always does.
Remember that General Fund is the only fund imapcted by the state reduction in funding. Capital Projects that pays for most utilities and repairs is not affected nor is transportation which pays for busses and their related expenses.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Alternative Education
Another cooperative effort we are involved with is creating alternative educational opportunities for various students. You know if a student is disruptive we do not have great options for their continued education beyond homebound instruction or expulsion. One alternative we are working on would be an alternative to expulsion option for those students that we want to continue their education (that would be all of them) and yet realize their behavior or circumstances will not allow them to remain in our facilities.
A second alternative is to look at option for students that simply fail to thrive often referred to as dropout prevention or credit recovery. Many high school students find themselves in situations where they need additional credits, or due to circumstances are not able to put in a full school day or they just don’t get it in a traditional setting even with differentiation. We are looking at how we can provide services for these children as well.
In both of the above don’t get me wrong. Our first and best choice is kids staying in schools and doing their assigned work. The dropout and graduation rates don’t lie and they say we have some kids that we are not reaching through traditional means. One group we are talking with is called The Crossings. They run alternative schools in various areas like Frankfort, East Noble, Goshen, and Elkhart to name a few. Their CEO is a former principal of a high school and they have a good program. Check it out to see what we are thinking about.
All I can tell you for sure is I support every child and the development and education of that child. If that is at our traditional setting great but if it means better education for them based on their specific needs and needs we cannot meet due to whatever circumstances (like money) then we will look at ways outside the norm to help them. I cherish any ideas you come across in how to help out children flourish in their education.
A second alternative is to look at option for students that simply fail to thrive often referred to as dropout prevention or credit recovery. Many high school students find themselves in situations where they need additional credits, or due to circumstances are not able to put in a full school day or they just don’t get it in a traditional setting even with differentiation. We are looking at how we can provide services for these children as well.
In both of the above don’t get me wrong. Our first and best choice is kids staying in schools and doing their assigned work. The dropout and graduation rates don’t lie and they say we have some kids that we are not reaching through traditional means. One group we are talking with is called The Crossings. They run alternative schools in various areas like Frankfort, East Noble, Goshen, and Elkhart to name a few. Their CEO is a former principal of a high school and they have a good program. Check it out to see what we are thinking about.
All I can tell you for sure is I support every child and the development and education of that child. If that is at our traditional setting great but if it means better education for them based on their specific needs and needs we cannot meet due to whatever circumstances (like money) then we will look at ways outside the norm to help them. I cherish any ideas you come across in how to help out children flourish in their education.
New Tech High
In case you’ve missed the news there is a lot of talk about developing a New Tech High School in Whitley County. The news coverage has been about where to locate the facility and how it would be funded. The news also seems to think only Whitley Consolidated students would go there. Truth is this is a county wide effort and Whitko, Smith Green and Whitley Consolidated would all play a part in this effort. Groups like Tops 2015 and Orthoworks have been promoting the need for differently trained students to help our community remain vital in their economic stability. They are clearly behind the training that would be New Tech like.
We have been talking about the need for a variety of opportunities for our students. New Tech like vocational education is just another such opportunity. The basics of New Tech include: Relationships Problem Based Learning, 21st Century Skills, Interdisciplinary course structures, a focus area like STEM, and yes, technology as a learning tool.
I recently visited Columbus Indiana and reviewed their Signature Academy (http://www.bcsc.k12.in.us/csant/site/default.asp) . I was very impressed with the students, facility and the outcomes I saw in the learning process. One of my most focused concerns is student engagement. In my teaching career and in my administrative career I have constantly been challenged by students not reaching their full potential and the apparent lack of motivation. I have heard the same from many of you. New Tech is one way that some of our students will be more engaged. It is not for everyone but check out the links above and see what everyone is talking about!
We have been talking about the need for a variety of opportunities for our students. New Tech like vocational education is just another such opportunity. The basics of New Tech include: Relationships Problem Based Learning, 21st Century Skills, Interdisciplinary course structures, a focus area like STEM, and yes, technology as a learning tool.
I recently visited Columbus Indiana and reviewed their Signature Academy (http://www.bcsc.k12.in.us/csant/site/default.asp) . I was very impressed with the students, facility and the outcomes I saw in the learning process. One of my most focused concerns is student engagement. In my teaching career and in my administrative career I have constantly been challenged by students not reaching their full potential and the apparent lack of motivation. I have heard the same from many of you. New Tech is one way that some of our students will be more engaged. It is not for everyone but check out the links above and see what everyone is talking about!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Response To Intervention
Today we met to discuss how our corporation would continue our implementation of RtI (Response to Intervention). Team of teachers, counselors and administrators met to look at what we were already doing and how to formalize the process and make others aware of the process.
RTI is:
· Response to Intervention is a framework for prevention, advancement, and early intervention, which involves determining whether ALL students are learning, and progressing academically and behaviorally.
· Intended to help as many students as possible meet proficiency standards.
· An opportunity to integrate all school initiatives in our buildings including school improvement, general education, Title I, special education, high ability students and family partnerships.
· Focuses the entire instructional system on the success of ALL learners.
· NOT waiting for the child to fail before attempting more intensive instructional interventions.
RTI is not:
· A stand-alone special education initiative.
· A means for just getting more students into special education.
· A method for just increasing or decreasing special education numbers.
· Focused primarily on disability determination and documented through a checklist.
· Just limited to beginning reading (K-2nd grade) since it should involve multiple grade levels and content areas (reading, math, behavior).
Many of Whitko’s teachers and administrators have logged many hours traveling to sites and receiving training, hosting presenters and trainers to train staff who have been released from the classroom for the day, spent hours upon hours researching individually or as a team possible interventions to use, networked extensively with other school teams to get this RtI thing figured out.
As a result of today’s facilitated workshop we are even going to be better at what we do best which is serving the educational needs of every child.
If you have ideas or questions about RtI Reply to this blog site.
RTI is:
· Response to Intervention is a framework for prevention, advancement, and early intervention, which involves determining whether ALL students are learning, and progressing academically and behaviorally.
· Intended to help as many students as possible meet proficiency standards.
· An opportunity to integrate all school initiatives in our buildings including school improvement, general education, Title I, special education, high ability students and family partnerships.
· Focuses the entire instructional system on the success of ALL learners.
· NOT waiting for the child to fail before attempting more intensive instructional interventions.
RTI is not:
· A stand-alone special education initiative.
· A means for just getting more students into special education.
· A method for just increasing or decreasing special education numbers.
· Focused primarily on disability determination and documented through a checklist.
· Just limited to beginning reading (K-2nd grade) since it should involve multiple grade levels and content areas (reading, math, behavior).
Many of Whitko’s teachers and administrators have logged many hours traveling to sites and receiving training, hosting presenters and trainers to train staff who have been released from the classroom for the day, spent hours upon hours researching individually or as a team possible interventions to use, networked extensively with other school teams to get this RtI thing figured out.
As a result of today’s facilitated workshop we are even going to be better at what we do best which is serving the educational needs of every child.
If you have ideas or questions about RtI Reply to this blog site.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Community Ventures
Whitko is involved with several community ventures. BioCrossroads is working with a large group of community organizations and individuals to support our orthopedic industries. TOpS 2015 is working with the defense industries. The efforts of both groups is to provide quality trained modern workforces to maintain and improve our economic viability in these and other related areas. Our part is providing great graduates with STEM and 21st Century Skills. During the next year you will be hearing more about these. As you learn more ask your questions and post your comments so we can all learn from each other.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Board Goals
We have great programs at Whitko. Sometimes it seems they are not tied together well and not publicized well. The Board recognizes this and want to do better at planning and promoting. As you look at the Board Goals what other things should we include in the goals? What should we be very specific about? Any other opinions related to these goals that you want to share would be great!
Goal on Instructional Plan
Recognizing our responsibility to educate the future leaders of our society, by January 15, 2010, Whitko Community Schools will adopt a five year development plan to address the needs of our instructional program in a changing society. The plan will address fulfilling our mission of delivering a differentiated curriculum to our students. Some components of the plan will include development or advancement of:
· Student preparation in 21st Century Skills;
· STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) integration;
· Vocational Education Expansion
· Dropout prevention – credit recovery
· Alternative educational opportunities
· High Ability Programming
· Further development of RtI (Response to Intervention);
· Programming for Special Needs students;
· Increased AP and post secondary opportunities.
All components will be based on “best practice” and the most current research.
Goal on Communication
To continue our focus on promoting Whitko Community Schools, we will further the implementation of the communication plan that was adopted January 1, 2009. This year’s focus will include:
· Continuation of components of the plan already in place;
· Increased external communication with a focus on sharing our story;
· A larger web presence;
· Developing true business partnerships;
· Increased student input and feedback; and
· Reaching those patrons without current students.
Add your thoughts and ideas.
Goal on Instructional Plan
Recognizing our responsibility to educate the future leaders of our society, by January 15, 2010, Whitko Community Schools will adopt a five year development plan to address the needs of our instructional program in a changing society. The plan will address fulfilling our mission of delivering a differentiated curriculum to our students. Some components of the plan will include development or advancement of:
· Student preparation in 21st Century Skills;
· STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) integration;
· Vocational Education Expansion
· Dropout prevention – credit recovery
· Alternative educational opportunities
· High Ability Programming
· Further development of RtI (Response to Intervention);
· Programming for Special Needs students;
· Increased AP and post secondary opportunities.
All components will be based on “best practice” and the most current research.
Goal on Communication
To continue our focus on promoting Whitko Community Schools, we will further the implementation of the communication plan that was adopted January 1, 2009. This year’s focus will include:
· Continuation of components of the plan already in place;
· Increased external communication with a focus on sharing our story;
· A larger web presence;
· Developing true business partnerships;
· Increased student input and feedback; and
· Reaching those patrons without current students.
Add your thoughts and ideas.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Vision the next five years
Whitko five years from now will be a school system that everyone looks to for leadership. Our facilities will continue to be first class with all the resources needed to provide a differentiated and individualized curriculum. Virtual education activities will abound. Our special programs for high ability and special needs students will compete with our engaging curriculum in other classes.
The elementary programs will be able to focus on higher learning skills as RtI has created a situation where students just are not allowed to fall behind and when students do they are immediately identified and remediated.
Our middle school program continues to involve great exploration possibilities that encorporate the standards into an activity and challenge based learning program. Students leaving middle school have a good idea what they might like to work on at Whitko High School.
Our high school provides individualzed programs for students that include increased vocational education, increased dual credit and Advanced Placement Offerings, and virtual education in subjects that are not even thought of today. The 21st century skills ans STEM education is interwoven into the fabric of the educational program. The school is so engaging that every student is involved in some co or extra curricular activity.
Whitko schools are once again the center of civic activities. Our schools are always being used by the public for various events. Events put on by the schoolsa re always packed with parents. Parents are also feeling so welcome at the schools they often drop by to see what they can do to assist us.
Over the last five years Whitko has been able to secure financial support that creates an environment of stability and growth not often shared in rural school corporations. Part of this comes from charging outside groups to see how we took a good school corporation to greatness. We often speek at conference and provide staff development for other schools.
So here is part of my Vision Whitko, What's Your Take?
The elementary programs will be able to focus on higher learning skills as RtI has created a situation where students just are not allowed to fall behind and when students do they are immediately identified and remediated.
Our middle school program continues to involve great exploration possibilities that encorporate the standards into an activity and challenge based learning program. Students leaving middle school have a good idea what they might like to work on at Whitko High School.
Our high school provides individualzed programs for students that include increased vocational education, increased dual credit and Advanced Placement Offerings, and virtual education in subjects that are not even thought of today. The 21st century skills ans STEM education is interwoven into the fabric of the educational program. The school is so engaging that every student is involved in some co or extra curricular activity.
Whitko schools are once again the center of civic activities. Our schools are always being used by the public for various events. Events put on by the schoolsa re always packed with parents. Parents are also feeling so welcome at the schools they often drop by to see what they can do to assist us.
Over the last five years Whitko has been able to secure financial support that creates an environment of stability and growth not often shared in rural school corporations. Part of this comes from charging outside groups to see how we took a good school corporation to greatness. We often speek at conference and provide staff development for other schools.
So here is part of my Vision Whitko, What's Your Take?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)