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.
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!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Board Meeting and Reductions
The May Board meeting was a particularly difficult one as we had to take the final vote that eliminated 13 certified and an equal number of non-certified positions. State reductions have created a situation where, even with those reductions, we estimate our budget has a $1,775 cushion. We can run school, but we are not able to supply the same attention to children that we all want.
The state has suggested they may be having a similar reduction next year. There is no place in our budget that we can do that and have a reasonable educational program for students. The Board is going to look at a possible referendum to create local revenue from property taxes. We know this is not popular with anyone, but we also know our children are worth it. Keep checking this blog for updates on what this means. Right now, it is an idea - nothing more. But, we are in high gear trying to figure out what it will mean for everyone.
The news just keeps being negative when we look at the state funding. Three of four months, the state has received revenue below budget estimates. They, too, are taking actions to stretch their fund, but unfortunately, those actions hurt our efforts. One example is the federal grant money that flows through the Department of Education. It used to flow to us prior to our expending it. Now all grant funds are reimbursable, which means we must pay the bill from our General Fund (that was cut) and then turn in a claim for the state to reimburse. This will, in the long run, not impact budget but increases both our management overhead and our cash flow. We may have to borrow while waiting for them to pay what they owe.
Speaking of the federal level, we learned last week that our Title 1 allocation was decreased by over $40,000. I know - it seems strange to us that as our families are having a tougher time (meaning more are in need of assistance), this program (that is supposed to be based on assistance need) is reduced. I think that tells us that from the local and state perspective, the recession impact is definitely not over.
In other action, the Board passed the pay to participate in athletics proposal. That means a high school student they would pay $80 to participate in sports, a middle school student $50, and an elementary student $30. This was the initial proposal and we will be adjusting this on the fly as revenue to athletics increases and individual sports are reviewed in more detail.
I share all this to let you know we are not out of the financial woods yet and are continuing to look at every avenue to make Whitko Schools the best place for all our children. I continue to ask anyone with ideas to share them.
The state has suggested they may be having a similar reduction next year. There is no place in our budget that we can do that and have a reasonable educational program for students. The Board is going to look at a possible referendum to create local revenue from property taxes. We know this is not popular with anyone, but we also know our children are worth it. Keep checking this blog for updates on what this means. Right now, it is an idea - nothing more. But, we are in high gear trying to figure out what it will mean for everyone.
The news just keeps being negative when we look at the state funding. Three of four months, the state has received revenue below budget estimates. They, too, are taking actions to stretch their fund, but unfortunately, those actions hurt our efforts. One example is the federal grant money that flows through the Department of Education. It used to flow to us prior to our expending it. Now all grant funds are reimbursable, which means we must pay the bill from our General Fund (that was cut) and then turn in a claim for the state to reimburse. This will, in the long run, not impact budget but increases both our management overhead and our cash flow. We may have to borrow while waiting for them to pay what they owe.
Speaking of the federal level, we learned last week that our Title 1 allocation was decreased by over $40,000. I know - it seems strange to us that as our families are having a tougher time (meaning more are in need of assistance), this program (that is supposed to be based on assistance need) is reduced. I think that tells us that from the local and state perspective, the recession impact is definitely not over.
In other action, the Board passed the pay to participate in athletics proposal. That means a high school student they would pay $80 to participate in sports, a middle school student $50, and an elementary student $30. This was the initial proposal and we will be adjusting this on the fly as revenue to athletics increases and individual sports are reviewed in more detail.
I share all this to let you know we are not out of the financial woods yet and are continuing to look at every avenue to make Whitko Schools the best place for all our children. I continue to ask anyone with ideas to share them.
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