Superintendent's Corner
January 18, 2010
The Superintendent’s Corner
Congratulations to Chase County High School for being recognized as an excellent school by the Standard and Poor’s rating service. The folks at Standard and Poor have discovered what we already know and that is the fact that USD 284 and its team of educational professionals provide an excellent educational opportunity for the children of Chase County. It is nice, however, to be nationally recognized for that excellence.
As evidenced by all the news lately from Topeka, the Governor and the Legislature continue to grapple with the state budget for 2010-11 (FY11). The economic recovery is slow at best and tough financial decisions have to be made by our state lawmakers concerning next year’s state budget including state funding for public education. The USD 284 Board of Education also continues to study and plan for the FY11 Budget. A large number of local budget costs and budget options are being considered by the Board as it continues it quest of a balanced budget for next school year. Obviously, what the state decides to do about school funding will significantly impact what local school districts, including USD 284, have to do in response to state-level funding decisions. Local school districts must, however, proactively plan what the local response will be to the eventual budget decisions at the state level. To make local parents, patrons and shareholders aware of the budget options that are being considered (especially the building use options and district calendar options) and to get input on those budget options, the BOE has scheduled a special Community Input Meeting on Monday, 1/25/10. The special meeting will be called to order at 5:00 pm in the BOE Meeting Room. At that time, BOE members will tour the district facilities. The Community Meeting segment of this special meeting will begin at 7:00 pm. It will be held in the new gymnasium at Chase County High School.
One of the budget options that will be reviewed by the BOE on 1/25/10 will be the possibility of implementing a 4-Day School Week in USD 284 next school year. The severity of the budget crisis makes it necessary to look at all possible budget options before making final budget decisions. A growing number of school districts in Kansas and over 35% of school districts in Colorado have already gone to a 4-Day School Week primarily due to budget needs and concerns. Those districts are now providing actual data on the impact a 4-day week has on critical factors including student achievement and parental satisfaction. The District Calendar Team (DCT) has been reconvened to assist in the recommendation of a possible 4-Day School Week for next year. The DCT is meeting on 1/20/10 and 1/22/10 if necessary to work on that schedule. Both of those meetings will begin at 3:30 pm in the Board Meeting Room. The BOE will review that recommendation on 1/25/10. All of the data being considered by the DCT and eventually by the BOE is available electronically or in hard copy form at the district office. Please stop by or let me know if you want to review this data and/or to provide your thoughts and input on this budget possibility. All shareholder concerns, ideas and input will be shared with the BOE.
These tough economic times require tough decisions by informed shareholders determined to do what is best for the students of Chase County. Wishing and hoping that these problems will go away just will not provide the relief and answers needed to the difficult decisions facing all school districts in Kansas, including USD 284. Positive, proactive and open communications and deliberations are the key to doing the best we can. These meetings provide that opportunity to all shareholders to the educational mission of USD 284. We hope that you can find the time to be part of that process. The Board needs as many ideas and as much input as possible in making these tough decisions. Your help is both needed and appreciated. Thank you.
