Education Notebook

Opinion: Editorial board weighs in on upcoming levy

The Post-Bulletin Editorial Board weighed in about the upcoming levy referendum, suggesting that the board will be moving uphill. They also said it makes sense to take a close look at any other consulting expenses incurred by moving forward with the levy campaign.

The consulting company typically conducts a survey to understand community sentiment toward a levy, what the community would support, etc.  The link is below, with the entire editorial pasted, too.

(Again, it should be noted: the P-B Editorial Board is completely separate from newsroom coverage. The editorial board takes an opinionated view, while reporters report the news. I have no bearing on what is written in editorials, just as the editorial writers have no bearing on what appears on the news side of things. I feel like I need to bring this up, simply because someone once anonymously complained that the editorials were too opinionated. If anything, I consider that a compliment. -EM)

LINK: Board will have to make strong case for levy

ARTICLE: Board green-lights levy referendum

The Rochester school board on Tuesday night green-lighted the creation of a levy referendum campaign this fall.

If approved by taxpayers, it would raise millions of dollars for the school district, but would also raise annual taxes for landowners. The exact figures have yet to be released, as the school district will now begin researching what could receive voter approval.

"We have an opportunity to bring a levy referendum to the community and ask our voters to continue to stand in support of education and to continue to support every child," Rochester public schools Superintendent Romain Dallemand said.

But approval may be difficult.

Even the school board decision to offer the referendum wasn't unanimous. The measure was eventually approved, 6-1, with board member Fred Daly dissenting.

That was quick - Anti-Rochester public school referendum clip hits YouTube

Well, that was fast.

If Rochester public schools officials were wondering if they would face any political battles in going after a operating levy referendum this fall, they have their answer: Yes.

As I reported earlier today, Rochester public schools are considering putting a levy referendum on this fall's ballot. Granted, the board is going to talk about the matter tonight and hasn't even officially announced that they will go after a levy. Even more, possible levy figures haven't been released yet, either.

This is only a 20 second video -- and it's not as if the production values totaled into the thousands of dollars and hours of time -- but at the very least, the quick timing of its creation shows that at least some people around town are ready to shout down a new levy.

The vid was posted by "RochesterGadfly," who posts as a P-B Commenter as "Rochester_Gadfly."

Here's a link to the video:

ARTICLE: Pawlenty proposes Race to the Top-focused bill for second heat of federal program

ST. PAUL — Gov. Tim Pawlenty again raised the banner of education reform Monday as he released a comprehensive bill that includes many of the initiatives he previously pressed the Legislature to support.

The bill is related to the second round of the federal Race to the Top application, an Obama administration program that seeks to award a total of $4.35 billion to a handful of states that are picked from a competitive application process.

The first round recently wrapped up, with Tennessee receiving $500 million and Delaware receiving $100 million. Minnesota was not named a finalist in that round and the state has until June 1 to apply for the second round of funding.

"The only question for Minnesota will be, 'Do you want to lead or do you want to be late to the game?'" Pawlenty said in a conference call.

ARTICLE: Rochester begins levy referendum push (also includes upcoming election dates, background info not in print version)

After two years of a combined $13.8 million in cutbacks, Rochester public schools are seeking a voter approved property tax increase.

Tonight, the school board will review information about an operating levy that could be on the November ballot, if approved by the school board.

It's unclear right now how much the district will ask for from voters this fall. The district expects to pay about $20,000 in consulting fees to analyze those figures. Until that amount is finalized, it's also unknown how a new levy would raise taxes.

Houston public schools superintendent resigns amid concerns about outside business

The business of online education has apparently merged too close to one public school superintendent, as Houston school head Kim Ross has resigned, the Post-Bulletin's Laura Horihan reported today:

HOUSTON — Amid concerns about his involvement in a private online learning initiative, Houston Superintendent Kim Ross announced Tuesday that he'll be leaving the school district at the end of his contract June 30.

Houston School Board members discussed concerns earlier this month regarding Ross' role in Ambient Learning, which he created in partnership with another district employee, Steve Kerska. Houston Public Schools communications director Kelley Stanage confirmed that Ross will be leaving the school district.

Ross didn't respond to a request for comment for followup on the resignation from the superintendent's job.

Some Houston residents have voiced concern that Ross and Kerska's work with Ambient Learning was a conflict of interest and feared the company would compete with the district's online programs. Under Ross' leadership, Houston opened one of the first public online schools in Minnesota. He recently was named on of the top 10 Tech Savvy Superintendents by editors of eSchool News.

According to a story in the Chatfield News, Ross was among applicants for the Chatfield superintendent position but currently isn't being considered. School board member Ron Evenson said Monday that board members "certainly have questions" about Ross' and Kerska's involvement in Ambient Learning.

"Everybody's kind of in question mode," Evenson said.

Article: Talk of a referendum in Rochester's future

(Here's an article that will appear in tomorrow's paper, about upcoming school funding. This is the one I teased earlier on Twitter. Also, there's a link at the bottom listing all the cuts made since the 1992-93 fiscal year - E.)

With cutbacks that continue to put teachers on the unemployment line, the talk of a levy referendum to buoy the district's finances has floated to the top of Rochester public schools.

School board members and district officials last year abandoned the idea before anything truly formalized, reasoning that voters would soundly sink such a measure. But now, school officials believe the only other solution would be to drown in budget reductions.

Programming update: Rochester public schools want YOU to voice concerns about upcoming budget cuts

Rather than re-writing the press release, I'll just copy it here:

Final Superintendent Budget Reduction Recommendations Released, School Board to Hold Comments from the Public

 The Superintendent held three input sessions over the past two weeks to gather feedback from Rochester Public Schools staff and community members on the budget reduction proposals. As a result of input sessions and Cabinet discussions, the Superintendent has come forward with his final recommendation, which will come before the School Board as a briefing item on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 from 3-6 p.m. in the Edison Board Room.
 
The Rochester Public Schools School Board will hold two comments from the public sessions early next week on the Final Superintendent Budget Reduction Recommendations. Those who wish to address School Board during the Comments from the Public must adhere to the regular guidelines outlined on the District website:
 
·         If you wish to address the School Board, it is recommended that you call the Superintendent’s Office at 328-4224 before 5 p.m. on Monday, February 1, 2010, and noon on Tuesday, February 2, 2010.  You will be asked to provide your name and home address as well as the topic of your comments.  Walk-ins are welcome but there may not be time to hear from everyone in the time allotted.
 
·         Please limit comments to three to five (3-5) minutes.  Written statements may be distributed to School Board members.
 
·         Groups wishing to address the Board should do so through a single speaker and may be asked to do so if there are several speakers on a given night.
 
Please see below for the timeline and comments from the public schedule:
 
·         Monday, February 1, 6-8 p.m., School Board to hold Comments from the Public, Edison Building, Board Room
·         Tuesday, February 2, 2-3 p.m., School Board to hold Comments from the Public, Edison Building, Board Room, as part of the regular Board Meeting.
·         Tuesday, February 2, 3-6 p.m., The  Final Superintendent Budget Reduction Recommendations will come before the School Board as a briefing item at the Regular Board Meeting.

View the Final Superintendent Budget Reduction Recommendations. For more information contact the Communications Department at (507) 328-4242.

/end release

 

Minnesota government to schools: The check will be in the mail, eventually

In an unprecedented move, the Minnesota government has proposed delaying the payment of about $423 million in state aid to 231 school districts this spring in order to cover its own bills over the same period.

The state needs to increase its own cash flow during March, April and May and state statute requires the education payments to be held off so that the state avoids short-term borrowing. The statute requires the aid to be repaid by May 30.

Districts that have solid reserve fund balances are impacted by the measure. But the gap could still leave many seeking short-term loans to cover their own fund balances.

Rochester public schools are expected to float about $15.8 million to St. Paul, which measures fifth-largest in the state. Still, according to district officials, they should be able to avoid any short-term borrowing. "We will be able to whether the storm this spring and not have to go out and borrow," Rochester finance director Larry Smith said.

However, things don't seem as rosy in Pine Island, one of the many schools who will likely need to borrow money for at least a few weeks. Superintendent Chris Bates expects to take out short-term loans in covering some of the $1 million of state aid that will be delayed to his school system.

"Is this going to be a big deal? Yeah," Bates said. "The state's in a mess, let's face it. They are facing decisions and times they have not faced in a lifetime."

Minnesota has found itself with nearly empty coffers largely due to shortages within sales and income taxes, which experts say were brought on by the Great Recession. Still, the plan has been hit hard by some who say it passes the buck to school districts figuratively, but not literally.

While talking to the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday morning, state Sen. Ann Lynch said this punishes school districts that have been fiscally responsible.  "The notion, proposal on the table, to steal the reserves from our schools across the state of Minnesota is not leadership," said Lynch, a democrat who lives in Rochester.

In asking for a response to Lynch, Governor Tim Pawlenty's press secretaries directed comment to the Minnesota Department of Education. Education Commissioner Alice Seagren released statement Tuesday afternoon that said districts who have solid reserve funds have been targeted for the loans.

"These payment delays are required by state law under these circumstances," Seagren said. "The state’s cash flow situation reflects lower than anticipated revenues due to the struggling economy."

The state will delay aid to the impacted schools on March 15, March 30 and April 15. They are expected to pay it back by May 30. Minnesota has never used this funding mechanism before, Minnesota School Boards Association Governmental Relations Director Grace Keliher said. It was created in 1986.

The possible amounts delayed changed over the past few days, too. Rochester's possible amount to be delayed hovered near $27 million at one point, which is roughly the same amount as the district's entire reserve.

If the state decided to take that much, Smith said the district would most definitely need to borrow funds.
Austin public schools shouldn't be impacted too greatly by the delay. Only 3 percent of their aid payments in March and April, or $118,000, will be delayed.

Rochester could be hit hard next year though, if the state needs to tap into this law again. If the amount of delayed funding increased — and with the next state biennium already estimated at a $5.4 billion deficit, it could — Rochester might find itself passing the hat.

In response to the delayed-aid law, state Sen. Terri Bonoff, DFL-Roseville and Rep. Mindy Greiling-Roseville proposed abolishing the measure on Tuesday.  It's unknown at this point if that idea will gain any traction.

Article: Task force makes final budget reduction recommendations

Rochester schools are preparing for $4.5 million in budget cuts. The article about the task force's recommendations is below. Here is a list of their suggestions. At the bottom of that file are the items they would like to save from the budgetary ax, if possible. (Called "buyback items.")

The public will get a chance for their input Wednesday, Jan 20. at the Edison Building. Staff input will run from 4 p.m. to 6:30 pm., while the public can talk from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Here;s breakdown of when people will need to show up (the number to the left is where the item shows up on the reduction list, which is linked above and at the bottom of this entry.

STAFF
4:00-4:15 General (A1-A51)
4:15-4:30 Technology, Business Services, Facilities (A15, A16, A66, A67, A69, A70, A72, A73, A76, A102, A106)
4:30-4:50 Human Resources, Staff Development (A71, A77, A78, A84, A100, A105a, A107a, A116)
4:50-5:10 Elementary School (A74, A81, A82a, A89b, A89d, A94)
5:10-5:30 Middle School (A59, A60, A61, A62, A63, A64, A75, A92b)
5:30-5:50 High School, Athletics & Activities (A58b, A65, A79 A83, A85b, A91b)
5:50-6:10 Curriculum, Student Support Services (A56, A57, A68, A80, A86, A87, A88, A93, A96)
6:10-6:25 Administration, School Board (A52a, A53a, A54a, A55, A108b, A117, A118, A119, A120, A121, A122)
 
PUBLIC
7:00-7:15 General (A1-A51)
7:15-7:30 Technology, Business Services, Facilities (A15, A16, A66, A67, A69, A70, A72, A73, A76, A102, A106)
7:30-7:45 Human Resources, Staff Development (A71, A77, A78, A84, A100, A105a, A107a, A116)
7:45-8:00 Elementary School (A74, A81, A82a, A89b, A89d, A94)
8:00-8:15 Middle School (A59, A60, A61, A62, A63, A64, A75, A92b)
8:15-8:30 High School, Athletics & Activities (A58b, A65, A79 A83, A85b, A91b)
8:30-8:45 Curriculum, Student Support Services (A56, A57, A68, A80, A86, A87, A88, A93, A96)
8:45-9:00 Administration, School Board (A52a, A53a, A54a, A55, A108b, A117, A118, A119, A120, A121, A122)

LINK: Time for budget carving (article)
LINK: Final task force recommendations (.pdf)

Article:

It's about time for the Rochester School Board to do some budget carving.

Again.

A task force of teachers, parents, administrators and community members finalized a list of recommended cuts in Rochester public schools Monday night. The school board needs to cut about $4.5 million from the district's $149.6 million general fund. Rochester public schools cut more than $9 million last year.

This year's list includes widespread reductions to departmental budgets, staffing levels and programming. The entire list of proposed cuts is available at Postbulletin.com.

The largest recommendation belongs to a 50 percent cut to the district's nearly $1.9 million staff development budget, which funds training for new teachers and continuing education opportunities for veteran teachers.

That 50 percent cut represents $941,275, or more than double the next highest item, laying off 3.5 percent of the district's high school teachers. That represents about seven teachers or $401,800.

School districts could previously cut their staff development budgets by 50 percent, but a legislative change for this year allows districts to cut even deeper than that, if desired.

Because that fund represents such a large amount of money, task force members recommended that the district should research how much could be used without eliminating staff development. Then, more teaching positions could be saved.

That new wrinkle provides this year's budget task force with more wiggle room in developing suggestions. The general fund offers few big-ticket options other than cutting staff. More than 81 percent of the $149.6 million general fund is spent on staff salaries and benefits.

Rochester public schools used the 50 percent staff reduction recommendation, with approval from the Rochester Education Association, in making last year's cuts.

A small group from the task force presented the finalized recommendations to Superintendent Romain Dallemand on Tuesday.

Dallemand will bring the suggestions to the school board, probably after the school board meeting of Jan. 19. The board has typically hosted public input sessions before voting on the recommendations. After that, the board has typically had a work session to review the cuts in full.

Those meetings, like the task force meetings, are open to the public.