Much press has been made lately about schools saving dollars by switching to the State Health Insurance Program. WNDU Recently stated “A new study shows that public schools in Indiana would save an estimated $297-million by making health insurance changes”. Obviously it depends how you do your figures. That $297 million was extrapolated from looking at schools that did participate and saved money. They had extremely high costs for their insurance and the state plan was a good move for them. It is not necessarily a good move for everyone.
Whitko has reviewed the current state health insurance program. The program would cost us more and our employees would have reduced benefits. If you did a state wide review you would find about 260 districts are like ours and would spend more by participating in the State Health Plan while about 50 would save using the plan.
We will continue to analyze our insurance premiums and benefits. The state plan is not what is right for us now.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Results from Past Referendum at WHS
During our recent discussions some patrons asked about the things they were told regarding the high school renovation. Apparently the previous administration indicated renovating the high school would improve achievement. Here are a few samples of how the tax dollars you invested paid off.
• The 4 year Graduation Rate increased 3.88% and is now above the state average by more than 3%
• The number of students pursuing post secondary education went up 10.4% and is now at the state average.
• SAT Scores went up by an average of 15.75 points. The most recent scores were above the state average. (This is amazing considering more students are taking the tests)
• We now have certificated programs in welding and culinary arts.
• Art awards have even increased but we were great before.
• The number of students taking and passing Advanced Placement courses went up.
I was very pleased to see how the work paid off and I hope you are as well.
• The 4 year Graduation Rate increased 3.88% and is now above the state average by more than 3%
• The number of students pursuing post secondary education went up 10.4% and is now at the state average.
• SAT Scores went up by an average of 15.75 points. The most recent scores were above the state average. (This is amazing considering more students are taking the tests)
• We now have certificated programs in welding and culinary arts.
• Art awards have even increased but we were great before.
• The number of students taking and passing Advanced Placement courses went up.
I was very pleased to see how the work paid off and I hope you are as well.
Recent News - Govenor Daniel's Statement
The following comments were from Governor Daniels last night according to the Channel 15 (Fort Wayne) web site:
“School districts on the other hand are pleased to get some relief. Many of them had to cut teachers and close schools during the 2009-2010 school year. The Indiana public education budget was cut by $300 million last year, and there are rumors there will be an equal or greater cut in the middle of this school year. Governor Daniels said Wednesday he doesn't expect to cut public education again to stay in the black.”
"I think we can do that without asking anymore from any of the places including schools," said Daniels.
If this comes true it further reduces the amount of funding we may need from the referendum measure. That would be terrific! We must remember however that one part of the referendum is to have adequate funding available for seven years not just one year. That being said hooray if the State of Indiana does not need to make further education funding cuts.
“School districts on the other hand are pleased to get some relief. Many of them had to cut teachers and close schools during the 2009-2010 school year. The Indiana public education budget was cut by $300 million last year, and there are rumors there will be an equal or greater cut in the middle of this school year. Governor Daniels said Wednesday he doesn't expect to cut public education again to stay in the black.”
"I think we can do that without asking anymore from any of the places including schools," said Daniels.
If this comes true it further reduces the amount of funding we may need from the referendum measure. That would be terrific! We must remember however that one part of the referendum is to have adequate funding available for seven years not just one year. That being said hooray if the State of Indiana does not need to make further education funding cuts.
Recent events - Jobs Bill Impact
Please understand this is conjecture on our part at this time.
Based on what we know today and looking at how things went with the last stimulus funding it appears the $207 million that Indiana will get from the Jobs Bill translates to 2.7% of the State’s K-12 educational budget. That 2.7% should be between $250 and $290 thousand for Whitko depending on what % the state retains for administrative costs. If the rumors are accurate that the State was expecting to reduce K-12 funding by 5%, I believe what will happen is we will just get a smaller reduction. We had estimated our need (possible reduction) at $500,000 so if we are guessing correct the bill funding will cut our reduction about in half.
Based on what we know today and looking at how things went with the last stimulus funding it appears the $207 million that Indiana will get from the Jobs Bill translates to 2.7% of the State’s K-12 educational budget. That 2.7% should be between $250 and $290 thousand for Whitko depending on what % the state retains for administrative costs. If the rumors are accurate that the State was expecting to reduce K-12 funding by 5%, I believe what will happen is we will just get a smaller reduction. We had estimated our need (possible reduction) at $500,000 so if we are guessing correct the bill funding will cut our reduction about in half.
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