CASE Meeting 04/29/09
From The Lovejoy Way
Contents |
Letter from Ted Moore
Dear CASE Committee, Our second meeting is scheduled tonight at 7:00 PM in the Lecture Room of Lovejoy High School. If you are unable to attend, you are welcome to join us at noon tomorrow in the Spurgin Administrative Center (former kinder wing at Lovejoy Elem). I know some of you had conflicts with the first meeting, but are planning to come tonight. Please know that you will be able to fully participate in the meeting even if you did not attend the first meeting. The exercise that we did last meeting with you, using the dots to begin to prioritize the enhancements, had two purposes: 1. We wanted to begin to help you identify those things that we have in the district that are above the basic program required for public schools and that you do not find in some or many schools, and 2. We wanted you to begin to look at our identified enhancements and decide which ones had intrinsic value to you without knowing the cost. Tonight will be your opportunity to see the approximate cost of each enhancement and we will do an activity where you will rank order each item on a 1-5 scale. I have attached the list you used last week along with the dollar amounts that support each. Below the bold black line, we have added other areas that you wrote on your cards for further discussion. I appreciate your time to provide input to the district as we work to bring a balanced budget forward. With Respect, Ted Moore Superintendent Lovejoy ISD
Email attachment, Enhancement and Budget Costs (PDF
Questions
From Daris Nevil:
1. How will this data be used, and by whom, in the budgeting processing?
Shay Adams: The data will be used by the administration as we prepare a draft of a budget to take to the board for consideration. All of the input of the CASE group will be put together in a report and given to the entire board for their review. We will outline and discuss the CASE process with them at the June board workshop on budget development.
2. What is the status of the items that didn't make the list? Are they more likely to be cut in the event that programs are cut?
Shay Adams: At this point, everything is still on the list. This preliminary exercise was intended to accomplish two broad goals: 1) Establish for our citizens that many things that we currently offer are "enhancements" and above the minimum program required by the State of Texas and 2) Begin the discussion around what things are " most important" to us individually and why. We will obviously build on this exercise each week until we reach a concensus recommendation on priorities.
3. Will the CASE members participate in a similar exercise where we consider administrative programs/costs and their relative importance to the children's education?
Shay Adams: At the close of our first meeting, each participant was given a 3x5 card. On one side, we asked for agenda topics for the next meeting and on the other side, we asked for specific areas that you think need review for potential cuts or freezes. If you placed specific administrative programs/costs on your card, they will be part of the next meeting. If you have some ideas that you would like to add, please email me as soon as possible and we will add them to the discuss at our next meeting.
Survey Results
Email from Shay Adams dated 05/22/09:
CASE Committee Member: Please find below a link to the information from the work you completed at the last meeting (using the blue clickers). Please review and provide any additional comments. Don’t forget that our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=F5H_2f0DhB7h6AnnM9aFHENw_3d_3d Thank you for your time and service to the district. Shay Adams LISD CFO
From Lovejoy Website
During the CASE meeting on April 29th and the makeup meetings on April 30th, the committee members ranked each enhancement discussed in the first CASE meeting. The survey results are provided below in rank order from most preferred to the least preferred by those that participated. For example, item number one ranked the highest to keep and the last item ranked the highest to be removed. This survey information will be considered by the administration as we work through the budget process. In addition to sharing the ranked results, we are now providing you an opportunity to comment on each ranked item, if desired. Please provide any additional comments/clarification by May 26, 2009.
Please note that many of the ranked items relate to the same position, but with different numbers to be considered for elimination. In the event that the proposed position(s) are eliminated, the remaining position(s) will be shared among the campuses or programs for which they serve. For example three of the ranked items relate to the Elementary Assistant Principal’s position (eliminating 1, 2 or all 3). If two Elementary Assistant Principals were removed, then the one remaining Elementary Assistant Principal position would service all three elementary campuses.
1. High School - School Resource Officer - 1 Position ($40,000) 37 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 5 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 2 -- Defer to educational professionals 0 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 0 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
2. Middle School Staff for Electives (wide variety offered) - 3 1/2 positions ($194,933) 33 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 7 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 1 -- Defer to educational professionals 4 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 1 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
3. High School Fine Arts Staff - 1 position ($55,695) 30 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 7 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 5 -- Defer to educational professionals 3 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 0 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
4. Longer Bus Routes From 45 min to 60-70 min ($36,000) 30 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 4 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 3 -- Defer to educational professionals 2 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 5 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
5. High School Counselor - 1 position ($70,000) 29 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 2 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 6 -- Defer to educational professionals 4 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 3 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
6. Elementary Reading Recovery - 1 position ($55,695) 28 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 5 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 8 -- Defer to educational professionals 3 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 3 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
7. High School Academic Competitions - Travel/Entry Budget ($20,000) 29 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 2 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 4 -- Defer to educational professionals 7 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 3 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
8. Elementary Librarians - 1 position ($60,000) 28 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 5 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 4 -- Defer to educational professionals 4 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 5 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
9. Elementary Music & Art - 2 positions ($87,390) 24 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 10 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 4 -- Defer to educational professionals 2 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 6 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
10. High School Center for Academic Training - 3 teachers & 1 Aide ($191,085) 19 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 12 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 8 -- Defer to educational professionals 5 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 1 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
11. High School Field Based Learning - Travel/Entry Budget ($20,000) 23 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 8 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 6 -- Defer to educational professionals 5 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 3 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
12. Middle School Center for Academic Training - 3 teachers & 1 Aide ($191,085) 21 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 8 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 8 -- Defer to educational professionals 6 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 2 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
13. High School GT Coordinator - 1 position ($61,265) 23 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 4 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 11 -- Defer to educational professionals 4 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 3 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
14. Middle School - School Resource Officer - 1 position ($40,000) 19 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 7 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 10 -- Defer to educational professionals 6 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 3 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
15. Elementary Dyslexia Teachers - 2 positions ($111,390) 20 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 6 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 9 -- Defer to educational professionals 8 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 3 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
16. Return to Special Education Cooperative Rather than LISD Special Education Department ($307,245) 22 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 1 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 12 -- Defer to educational professionals 3 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 6 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
17. High School 8 Period Schedule Rather than 7 Period modified Schedule (32 credits -vs- 28 credits) ($375,000) 22 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 3 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 9 -- Defer to educational professionals 5 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 6 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
18. Elementary Receptionist - 3 positions ($72,000) 18 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 9 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 7 -- Defer to educational professionals 9 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 3 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
19. Elementary Gifted & Talented Pull-Out - 4 1/2 positions ($250,628) 22 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 3 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 8 -- Defer to educational professionals 8 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 5 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
20. Middle School Academic Competitions - Travel/Entry Budget ($16,000) 20 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 5 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 8 -- Defer to educational professionals 6 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 6 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
21. High School Athletic Staff (wide variety of sports offered) - 3 positions ($62,848) 19 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 8 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 5 -- Defer to educational professionals 7 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 6 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
22. High School Assistant Principals - 1 position ($79,000) 21 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 2 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 10 -- Defer to educational professionals 4 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 7 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
23. Elementary Kindergarten Aides - 3 positions ($72,000) 18 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 8 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 8 -- Defer to educational professionals 5 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 7 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
24. Middle School Counselors - 1 position ($70,000) 19 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 6 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 8 -- Defer to educational professionals 4 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 9 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
25. Elementary Assistant Principals - 2 positions ($127,400) 17 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 7 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 7 -- Defer to educational professionals 6 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 8 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
26. Middle School Assistant Principals - 1 position ($70,000) 14 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 5 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 14 -- Defer to educational professionals 6 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 6 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
27. Middle School Accounting Clerk/Bookkeeper - 1 position ($24,000) 12 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 9 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 13 -- Defer to educational professionals 4 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 7 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
28. Elementary Spanish - 2 positions ($111,390) 13 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 8 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 12 -- Defer to educational professionals 4 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 9 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
29. Elementary Spanish - 3 positions ($167,085) 11 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 10 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 13 -- Defer to educational professionals 6 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 7 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
30. Elementary Assistant Principals - 3 positions ($191,100) 15 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 6 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 9 -- Defer to educational professionals 7 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 9 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
31. Elementary Nurses - 2 positions Add 2 Aides ($63,390) 15 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 6 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 7 -- Defer to educational professionals 10 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 8 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
32. Elementary Assistant Principals - 1 position ($63,700) 16 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 3 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 9 -- Defer to educational professionals 8 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 10 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
- Please note
- This question was originally presented as "Freeze on Non-Exempt Employees"
33. 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Non-Exempt Employees($88,000) 13 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 9 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 5 -- Defer to educational professionals 5 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 12 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
34. Elementary Spanish - 1 position ($55,695) 12 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 9 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 9 -- Defer to educational professionals 6 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 11 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
35. Elementary Technology Integrators - 2 positions ($87,390) 13 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 5 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 10 -- Defer to educational professionals 9 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 9 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
- Please note
- This question was originally presented as "Freeze on Administrator Salaries"
36. 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Administrator Salaries ($76,000) 10 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 8 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 6 -- Defer to educational professionals 6 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 14 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
37. High School Library Aide - 1 position ($24,000) 12 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 2 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 6 -- Defer to educational professionals 14 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 10 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
38. Elementary Counselors - 1 position ($65,000) 12 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 2 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 7 -- Defer to educational professionals 10 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 15 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
39. Elementary Library Aides - 2 positions ($48,000) 7 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 6 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 8 -- Defer to educational professionals 9 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 16 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
40. Elementary Transportation within 2 miles Lovejoy Elementary ($24,000) 12 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 2 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 5 -- Defer to educational professionals 6 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 21 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
- Please note
- This question was originally presented as "Freeze on all Non-Personnel budgets"
41. Inflation Adjustment for All Non-Personnel Budgets ($182,000) 3 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 4 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 14 -- Defer to educational professionals 9 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 14 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
42. Middle School Library Aide - 1 position ($24,000) 6 -- Strongly favor continuing expense. 3 -- Favor continuing or modifying expense. 10 -- Defer to educational professionals 8 -- Favor eliminating or reducing expense. 18 -- Strongly favor eliminating expense.
Notes from the Meeting
CASE Mtg 20090429 HB1 Plan budgets on current law $1.50 $1.36 - enrichment $1.32 $1.00 $1.04 - local discretion enrichment - np recapture - no voter approval - board approval only Can go to $1.06, then $1.17 with stipulation, but reqs a vote ASATR - addl state aid for tax reduction Frozen at 05-06 level No help from state on I&S for building because we are property rich $1.3B total taxable vale in the district $319,500 per child is the start of wealthy district Ted 'I will never say that we only spent $12000 which is only some small percentage of the total budget. That is what gets gov entities into trouble' Training 'Scout' Philosophy In-district Philosophy L@L as a self-sustaining operation Create equiv of a national conference Top notch speakers Send 2 or 3 people out to find them Four speakrs coming this week 5 yr plan for training to pay for itself Open to any teacher to come for $100 Covers Keynote plus lunch Estimate $20000 income cost $100000 LJFoundation pays $30000 Travel issue 'would suite me fine if I stayed in the district' 'I do go to find presenters' Austin 6 times on mid-sized adjustment Spin about travel facts don't back up 6411 Travel code $330,000 budgeted $208,000 spent so far Personal travel for teachers I'd out of that Hotel $30,153 Conf fees $77,638 Personal mileage $55,225 Conference rate is $135 Teachers share room Ted does not do per diem because it would show up on the check registry Had Cindy pick 3 conferences 3 conference comparison $444 per diem $352 actual $92 diff Legal Fees most cost is office of civil rights 6 OCR complaints this yr What kind of complaints - from the same address - no such thing as frivolous law suits Student Discipline Appeals Construction Contracts Special Education Appeals Audience Q - who is doing this Ted A - if you feel your special needs student is not being provided for then you can file a complaint Q What is your supporting documentation that we are top heavy on admin compare to prosper, etc I'm open to discussion about whether we are top heavy Admin Salaries Ted was the first principle at Curtis Middle School Ted: "Why would I ask the community to tell me if I need a director of purchasing?" "I ask you to trust us, It is all about the kids" Ted - we will be $1.7M deficit without mid-size adj We will get about $300K in property value increase The board has directed Ted to do belt tightening, even if the mid size is approved 33 Coaches/Teachers for all campuses
