These are some comments/rumors we’ve heard regarding the referendum. Yes, it is a small sampling, but I wanted to share what is really happening. Here are some facts as of today:
• We still need the referendum question to pass but are not in crisis mode.
• We project the 2010 budget to end where we did in 2009, which is great!
• The 2011 budget is balanced. (That only means our reductions were accurate, not that we don’t need some people and resources to perform better.)
• The current plans are not to raise tax money from the referendum this year if passed (pending state reductions to our funding).
• We are not close to closing or consolidating.
• We may need to make facility renovations sometime, but closing South Whitley Elementary is just way down the line if ever
• There is a public meeting October 5th at 6:30 pm at Whitko High School in the Auditorium (child care provided) to try to share the following:
o What the referendum question means
No taxes if the budget is balanced without them
No current property tax supports salaries or benefits
o Where we have been financially and programmatically
o Where we are now
o Where we’d like to be
o Where we could potentially be
• There is an options committee looking at how to provide services more effectively or efficiently, increase revenue through other means, and/or provide additional resources to assist the schools.
• The amount of funding we received from the federal government Jobs Bill is 27% of the $1.25 million we reduced…or looking at it another way, 2/3 of one year’s reduction. So, if the State reduces us a similar amount to last year, we would need to make up another $150,000 or so.
• We need people to vote yes
• From an email yesterday: Dr. Bennett still advises districts to plan for the worst case scenario as the fiscal indicators are not positive as of today.
• From 9/9/10 Indianapolis Business Journal: Report: State must cut spending, hike taxes or both
Not trying to be Chicken Little but it may sound like the sky is falling
“Gentlemen, we have run out of money. It is time to start thinking. ”Sir Ernest Rutherford, Nobel Laureate (Physics)
• We need the Referendum to pass November 2nd
• As of September 27th Dr Bennett was still saying expect a similar cut (half a million)
• As of September 27th Dr. Larry DeBoer Economics professor indicates 1.2 Billion shortfall for 2012 and 2013 for Indiana
• As of September 30 our Options Committee agreed we can’t cut people’s jobs to get out of the problem we are as thin as we can get.
• As of October 1st our former State Senator indicates a 1.1 Billion shortfall for Indiana
• We are protecting our students from the impending further reductions in state support.
o More reductions mean cuts in staff or programs
• The figures haven’t changed we are still balanced on paper for 2011 and 2012. The problem is the unknown state support.
What can you do?
• Talk it up!
• Hold a coffee time for a board member, Tom or Steve to talk to a few folks.
• Place a sign!
• Help the Referendum Committee (Contact Georgia Tenney at WMS or Jorell Tucker Board member)
o Call
o Canvas
• Vote!
SO is it as bad as all that? Yes. We can make more adjustments but nothing that doesn’t hurt students and staff. We will stay open and will endure these hard times but I must be honest things will not go back to normal (whatever that is) soon.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Recent News - State Health Coverage
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
We are Whitko
Whenever issues regarding funding come up in our current Indiana economic climate, individuals begin to speculate and rumors start flying. Let me answer a couple of those rumors.
Whitko is closing its doors!
This simple answer in no we are not. We are far from that. If we talk about the maximum amount of the referendum we are only talking about 12% of what it takes in general fund to run our schools. Yes, we need to address the funding shortfall created during this economic downturn. Yes it is serious but the sky is not falling and we are Whitko so we will figure out what we need to do in solving this issue.
If this referendum passes we'll just create a budget that uses the maximum amount.
If the administration was so inclined the Board you elected would never allow that. In fact the draft budget we are working on is balanced for 2011, meaning that no additional tax would be levied in 2011. That balance would only be changed if the state further reduced what they said they are going to fund. The Board and administration are committed to balanced budgets. Our problem continues to be the politics of when the state will say you are reduced by a certain amount. We simply, by law, cannot reduce significant amounts once the school year starts. I hate to be pessimistic but I must say that politically I do not expect any reductions to be announced until after the November elections. The timing if that occurs will make it extremely difficult to make expenditure changes on the fly.
I obviously hope you will support our referendum and vote YES on the question in November but I also realize you may choose not to support the referendum. My desire is simply that you consider the facts shared previously on this blog and that will appear as we look at various options. I only want you to make an informed choice. These are your Whitko Schools help us make them what you want them to be.
Whitko is closing its doors!
This simple answer in no we are not. We are far from that. If we talk about the maximum amount of the referendum we are only talking about 12% of what it takes in general fund to run our schools. Yes, we need to address the funding shortfall created during this economic downturn. Yes it is serious but the sky is not falling and we are Whitko so we will figure out what we need to do in solving this issue.
If this referendum passes we'll just create a budget that uses the maximum amount.
If the administration was so inclined the Board you elected would never allow that. In fact the draft budget we are working on is balanced for 2011, meaning that no additional tax would be levied in 2011. That balance would only be changed if the state further reduced what they said they are going to fund. The Board and administration are committed to balanced budgets. Our problem continues to be the politics of when the state will say you are reduced by a certain amount. We simply, by law, cannot reduce significant amounts once the school year starts. I hate to be pessimistic but I must say that politically I do not expect any reductions to be announced until after the November elections. The timing if that occurs will make it extremely difficult to make expenditure changes on the fly.
I obviously hope you will support our referendum and vote YES on the question in November but I also realize you may choose not to support the referendum. My desire is simply that you consider the facts shared previously on this blog and that will appear as we look at various options. I only want you to make an informed choice. These are your Whitko Schools help us make them what you want them to be.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Referendum
Did you every have one of those tasks you did not want to do but knew it was the right thing?
The School Board and I are faced with just that situation. We do not want to ask for a tax increase but yet we know we must for the good of all our children and the community they will grow up in.
Last year we reduced our general fund budget by more than 10%. This was due to state funding shortfalls and we all know the economy is just not doing great right now. That 10% means when school opens next fall we will have 26 fewer adults trying to do the same or even better at providing the quality education and services our students deserve.
Now the state hints they may reduce us another 5 to 10%. We simply cannot provide what our children deserve with that hanging over our heads. Of course we will continue to look for further savings but there comes a point where we simply need more funding to be able to “Keep our Schools Excellent for All”.
That is why I recommended to the Board a referendum that would provide a property tax option to make up what the state shorts us in the funding. More details will be shared in public meetings and mailing but until then I have attached a couple items that will answer some questions regarding the upcoming referendum.
Please support our kids and help us provide the education they need for their futures.
Email questions or comments to steve.clason@whitko.org
Questions and Answers About the Referendum
How we got here and what we've done. Watch for this to be updated!
The School Board and I are faced with just that situation. We do not want to ask for a tax increase but yet we know we must for the good of all our children and the community they will grow up in.
Last year we reduced our general fund budget by more than 10%. This was due to state funding shortfalls and we all know the economy is just not doing great right now. That 10% means when school opens next fall we will have 26 fewer adults trying to do the same or even better at providing the quality education and services our students deserve.
Now the state hints they may reduce us another 5 to 10%. We simply cannot provide what our children deserve with that hanging over our heads. Of course we will continue to look for further savings but there comes a point where we simply need more funding to be able to “Keep our Schools Excellent for All”.
That is why I recommended to the Board a referendum that would provide a property tax option to make up what the state shorts us in the funding. More details will be shared in public meetings and mailing but until then I have attached a couple items that will answer some questions regarding the upcoming referendum.
Please support our kids and help us provide the education they need for their futures.
Email questions or comments to steve.clason@whitko.org
Questions and Answers About the Referendum
How we got here and what we've done. Watch for this to be updated!
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