Superintendent's Update
February 13, 2015
K.U.D. Know, Understand and Do
Know: You are valuable.
Understand: We could not run our schoos without you.
Do: Enjoy your vacation.
Last year I was driving home in some sort of bad weather and was talking with my daughter on the phone. It was getting dark and the roads were getting worse by the minute. My daughter, a teacher who is like a little kid when it comes to snow days, asked if it bothered me to drive in such bad weather. I told her that when I have to drive to or from work in bad weather I just pretend I’m a doctor going somewhere where people really need me. She replied, “You are and they do.” She was referring to both work and home and the people in both places. I want you to remember how important you are in both places as well, and know that I appreciate all you do.
I continue to feel proud to be a part of this unique school community. There is such a tremendous sense of caring, support and pride here. I thank you for all you do every day to connect to and support the students in our district.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you.
Budget Update
Superintendent's Budget Proposed
On Wednesday night, Ron and I presented the proposed budget to the board. You can see the Prezi I used at the BOE mtg as well as a more comprehensive overview of the proposed additions on-line. Also, the budget book is available in Central Office for your review. If you do look at the Prezi, take a moment to look at the actual and projected enrollment slide. (If you are really interested on how those projections are made, I the full report is available in Central Office for your review. It is actually fascinating information prepared by Milone and MacBroom.) I bring this part of the report to your attention because as we move forward in budget building, we are keeping the impact of declining enrollment as one of the important variables to consider.
This year during the budget process with the administrative team, the Utilization Committee decided to look at the feasibility of closing Korn School at the end of next school year, our anticipated insurance rate tripled, and I was asked about partnering with the Town of Durham in supporting a state trooper as a School Resource Officer who would work in all of our schools.
Many ideas were brought to the table by the administrative team, as proposals for next year. We examined ways to achieve many of them without impacting the budget, and others were simply taken off the list. I portrayed to the Board the pace and effort with which you have all been working as akin to running on the treadmill with the incline and speed at max and sustaining this pace and effort over time. As a district we needed to bring the incline and the speed down and grow stronger by slowing down and paying attention, by getting better at the things we are currently doing. I see next year as a time to "sustain, strengthen and prepare".
We have reduced staffing for next year based on enrollment and class size considerations. At this time the reduction proposals include 6.5 staff with all but one absorbed through retirements.
The total budget increase based on projected revenues and expenditures is 2.96%.
The proposed increases are the following:
0.5 Custodian
.8 Central Office: Human Resources and Business Office Support
1.0 Technology Support Specialist
1.0 School Resource Officer
Athletic Department Increases: increased stipend for MS Athletic Director, additional middle school Cross Country Coach, assistant CRHS Girls’ Tennis Coach.
Chromebooks for Juniors and Seniors
Updated Enrollment Study
Architectural and Engineering Study
OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) Study
Once again a more comprehensive review of these items is available on our web-site.
Next BOE mtg: February 25 th at 7:30 p.m. at Strong School
Go girl, go!
Send positive thoughts at around 4pm on Valentine’s Day to our girls 4 X 800 team who will be competing in New York city at the Millrose Games. A huge big deal for Allie Alsup, Bailey Thayer, Samantha Drop and Jessica Drop as well as Coach Kate Germond and Assistant Coach Jack McShane.
Aspiring Leaders
I would like to explore the possibility of hosting an Aspiring Leaders group next year. The purpose of the group would be to have staff members who have their 092 or are working on it, or anyone else who is interested in school leadership meet after school for informal conversations on pertinent topics related to leadership. I will facilitate and invite other school leaders from within and outside of the district to share their perspective as well. These could be held from 4-6 p.m. once every three months (light refreshments served) with 3-4 meetings a year. Let me know if you are interested so that I can plan over the summer.