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?