sharing, restructuring high schools, and school … restructuring high schools, and school district...
TRANSCRIPT
Sharing, Restructuring High Schools, and School District Reorganization
Maintaining Comprehensive Instructional Programs
Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCESOctober 28, 2010
Alan D. PoleEducation Consultant
315-692-4615/[email protected]
The Perfect Storm
Greater expectations and opportunities for all students
Declining student enrollment in many districts
Precarious financial condition
Business as usual will not be an option
Sharing Opportunities
Shared Administrators
Instructional Leadership:
Special Education
Curriculum/Staff Development
Instructional Technology
Athletics
Business Official
Superintendent
Shared Superintendent…..+/-
• Saves money
• Promotes sharing in other areas
• Twice as many board meetings, concerts and athletic events
• Reduced superintendent tenure• Split community allegiances
• Stressed when a crisis occurs
Shared Management Functions
Staff--Transportation, Custodial/Maintenance, Food Service, Health Care Coordination, Records Management, Safety
Risk Management, Instructional TechnologySubstitute teacher recruitment/callingCentral business officeCooperative purchasingSpecial education financesPrinting and copyingTransportation and maintenanceEnergy managementMaintenance specialists
Shared Facilities
Fuel filling stations
Libraries
Fitness center
Records storage
Special education programs
Restructuring High Schools
Tuitioning Of High School Students
2040-2045 of Education Law and Part 174 of Commissioner’s Regulations
Contract developed to provide high school (7-12)
Requires a referendumContract is for 2-5 yearsSending district is responsible
for transportationTuition is set at or below the
Seneca Falls formula
Pre-Referendum Study
Enrollment projectionsInstructional programExtra-curricular opportunitiesStaffingTransportationFacilitiesFinancesCommunity perception survey ???
Advantages/Disadvantages of Tuitioning High School Students
Maintain school district identityMaintain school district governance structureIncreased academic and extra-curricular
opportunities for studentsLoss of high school identity and programsLoss of high school as a community facilityLonger bus ride for high
school studentsFinances (???)
Regional High School Study(Wayne County, New York)
Maintain 11 school districts, 11 boards of education, and 11 superintendents
Maintain the existing elementary and middle schools in the 11 school districts
Transition from 11 high schools to 4 high schools
Current high schools
average 470 students
Motivation for the Study
Desire to provide a “world class” education for the students
High school enrollment has been declining (8.3% since 2005-06)
County study identifying
Wayne County taxes as the
highest in the nation
Sharing Opportunities
Wayne Student Exchange Programs
New Vision Programs
Thematic High School Programs
Electronic Learning Programs
Alliance High School Program
Regional High School Study Findings
Estimated average decline in high school enrollment of 19.8% through 2018-19 (4 districts between 25-30%)
Larger high schools provide more opportunities for students
More cost effective to add on to/renovate existing high schools than build new high schools
Some high school students will have longer bus rides Annual cost savings of approximately 3% with 4
regional high schools The public likes their high
schools very much!
RecommendationsNeed for State legislationNeed for financial incentivesNeed for community dialog about the futureNeed for more compatible high school
schedulesNeed for more collaboration/new rules for
inter-scholastic athleticsNeed more sharingNeed for follow up to study
School District Reorganization
Why Consider Merger?Increase course offerings for studentsTeachers teach only in their area of specializationUpgrade facilities and equipment Provide equitable salaries and benefits to
employeesMore cost effective administrative structureEliminate duplication of facilities, equipment, and
staffConsolidate and coordinate support functionsReduce taxes
Why Merger May be Difficult
Fear of losing local identityPerception that the communities are
incompatibleUncertainty over board representationLess personal attention for studentsBusing time for students will be
increasedFear of losing job security by staffNatural resistance to change
Types of Reorganization
Centralization-New district created with a new name and a new board of education
Annexation-One district takes over the other district with the annexing board of education, administration,
policies, district name, etc.
remaining in place
Two Steps in the Merger Process
The Study-Conducted by consultants with oversight by a local committee to provide information to the boards, the administration, and the communities
The Vote-Facilitated by the State Education Department and the District Superintendent, boards sanction two public referenda, one that is advisory and the next one that is final
Components of the Study
Enrollment Projections
Instructional and Extra-curricular Program
Finance
Facilities
Transportation
Staffing
The Merger StudyProvides information for school district officials, the
communities, and the Commissioner on enrollments, staffing, curriculum, transportation, facilities, finances, etc.
Facilitated by consultantsOverseen by school/community advisory committee
of 18-22 peopleReport is the responsibility of the consultantsBoth boards of education decide how to proceed with
the final study
Time Line for the Study/Merger September-Boards meet to discuss studyNovember-Committee appointedMay-Study completed June-Study reviewed by S.E.D. August-Study presented to boards September-Public information and discussionNovember-Boards decide to go forth December-Advisory referendum January-Final referendum April-Vote for new board membersMay-Budget vote July 1-New district begins operation with
the new board of education
Mergers-What Research Tells Us
Curriculum opportunities for students will be enhanced
Extra-curricular opportunities for students will be enhanced
School buildings will be enhancedSome students will have a longer bus ride Class sizes tend to get largerTax rates on true value declineSchool district spending increasesStudent achievement will not
necessarily increase
The Finances of Merger-Part 1
Incentive Operating Aid
Combined operating/foundation aid for both districts combined is increased as follows:
Year 1-40% Year 6-36% Year 11-16%Year 2-40% Year 7-32% Year 12-12%Year 3-40% Year 8-28% Year 13-8%Year 4-40% Year 9- 24% Year 14-4%Year 5-40% Year 10-20% Year 15-0%
The Finances of Merger-Part 2
Incentive Building AidAdditional 30% on top of the higher district’s
selected building aid ratio up to 95% (98% for high needs districts) for 10 years for any new construction
Existing debt is aided at the higher of the previous districts’ selected building aid ratios
The 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 Guideline for Incentive Operating Aid
1/3 to finance transition costs to the merged district
1/3 in reserves for long term fiscal stability
1/3 to reduce taxes
History of School DistrictReorganization in New York State
Year Number of Districts Decrease1870 11,3721890 11,216 1561910 10,565 6511930 9,118 1,4471940 6,397 2,7211950 3,189 3,2081960 1,293 1,8961970 760 5331980 739 211990 720 192000 704 162010 697 7
School Districts in New York State-2010
Size of District Number EnrollmentBelow 300 21 4,295300-599 66 29,919600-899 58 43,154
900-1199 88 91,3881200-1499 59 78,3951500-1999 78 135,0922000-4999 182 590,0785000-9999 70 474,394
10000 + 17 1,279,383
The Past………The FutureThe structure of school districts has changed
dramatically in the past centurySchool enrollments are projected to continue
to decline for at least the next 10 yearsMore will be required of our students in order
for our state and country to be leadersThe financial support for public schools will be
challenged in new and different waysBusiness as usual will not
be an option