Citizens Advisory Committee February 4, 2020 A small group of - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

DEERFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Committed to Excellence and Equity in Education Citizens Advisory Committee February 4, 2020

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead Citizens Advisory Committee

 Represent diverse population groups and interests within community  Promote feedback through community survey  Use past and present information to:  Help establish the priority list of educational needs  Help establish the priority list of facility needs  Advise Board of potential plan to address future needs Committee Purpose

Chairperson: • Creates meeting agendas with facilitator • Liaison to administration for information requests • Maintains order in meetings • Assures ground rules are followed by CAC • Create advisory statement(s) to Board w/assistance from CAC Public Relations Person: • Transcripts highlights of meetings • Works with admin. to develop regular updates for Independent newspaper • Work with admin. to develop strategy for sharing information with other media • WDEE channel • District Skylert (mass email) • District Facebook • Mailings • Community meetings/Organization meetings Committee Roles

• Say what’s on your mind • Respect the opinions of others • Only one person speaks at a time. No side conversations. • Practice common courtesy • Listen first • Agree to disagree • No “bad” ideas • Chairperson will enforce rules • Keep minutes of meetings • Keep to a specific timeframe Ground Rules

• Rural school houses • High school housed in old elementary school • New high school opens on Simonson Blvd. in 1966 • Elementary schools consolidate on Liberty St. • HS addition in 1978 (major renovation) • MS addition in 1997 (commons, classrooms) • New Elementary school opens on Quarry St. in 2004 • HS addition in 2004 (science, social studies wing) • MS remodel in 2014 • HS Stadium remodel and Fitness Center Addition 2016 Deerfield Schools History

• Low Class Sizes • Fiscal Responsibility • Commitment to Early Learners/Early Literacy • Supportive Academic Programs • After-school Programs for Youth and Adults • Strong Parent Organizations • Rewarding Extracurricular Offerings • Frequent Community Use of Facilities • Community Support for Student Programs • Opportunities for ALL Students • Innovative Instructional Strategies • Highly Qualified Educators • Renewable Energy Projects • Staff Retention What is Deerfield Known For?

Fiscally Thoughtful • Community, School Board, Staff Focus on Students • Early intervention • Value of learning • Value of providing opportunities DCSD Financial History

Since 1994: • School Revenue Caps-help reduce property tax increases by limiting school revenue going forward. • Low spending schools (Deerfield) were not allowed to catch up to high spending schools. • Qualified Economic Offer (QEO)-limited staff increases to 3.8% for total package (salary and benefits) • QEO no longer exists under Act 10 (2011) • Surge of school district referenda across state. It has become the alternate school funding mechanism for “local control.” State Financial History

2005 – 2006 Budget Decisions: Approx. $311,000 • Replace HS Librarian w/ Aide - $35,600 • Reduce Tech Ed. from 1.5 FTE to 1.0 FTE - $27,000 • Tech. Specialist Retirement & Replacement - $10,000 • School Psychologist to 60% - $20,200 • Non-Replacement of HS English Teacher - $55,900 • Retirement of 3 Elem. Teachers Replaced - $34,800 • No Driver’s Education Program - $2,600 • Increase Open Enrollment In - $50,000 • Lower Substitute Expenses - $10,000 • HVAC Unit Replacement (One-Time Expense) – • $50,000 • Maintenance Services Reductions - $15,000 History of Budget Cuts

2006 – 2007 Budget Decisions: Approx. $318,600 • Non-Replacement of 4th Grade Retiree - $71,500 • Elem. Math Series – (One-Time Expense) - $40,000 • One Time Service Fees - $25,300 • District Secretary Replacement - $5,000 • Food Service Transfer - $30,000 • Special Education Services - $56,500 • Lower Summer School Pay - $10,000 • One-Time Expenses (Equipment) - $9,300 • Special Ed. Grant Reclassification - $25,000 • Miscellaneous Supplies & Textbooks - $39,000 • 1-Year Uniform Moratorium - $7,000 History of Budget Cuts

2007-2008 Budget Decisions: Approx. $261,200 • Hold on Textbook Purchases - $20,000 • Non-replacement of Summer School Coordinator - $4,500 • Savings from School Psychologist Transfer - $4,500 • Special Education Reimbursement - $10,000 • Business Manager Transfer to Fund 50 - $25,800 • Debt Service Retirement - $14,000 • Extra-curricular supplies - $2,000 • Non-replacement of MS Teacher - $67,400 • Non-replacement of Custodian - $40,000 • Administration Replacements - $23,000 • Teacher Retirements & Replacements - $20,000 • Increase Open Enrollment In - $30,000 History of Budget Cuts

FACILITY STUDY-2007 • Facility Committee had worked on short-term (3-5 years) and long-term (5-10 years) plans • Facility study completed by Plunkett Raysich Architects - Study used to prioritize building and grounds needs - Facility priorities included on community survey CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE-2007 • Formed to research and provide financial recommendation to the Board COMMUNITY SURVEY-2008 • Over 460 respondents from community and staff • Administration and School Board used results to determine budget savings and reductions

CAC Proposed Referendum: • 5 years with graduated amounts for a total of $1,875,000: • Year 1 - $275,000 • Year 2 - $325,000 • Year 3 - $375,000 • Year 4 - $425,000 • Year 5 - $475,000 • Referendum date of September 9, 2008 • Total Voters: 687 Yes - 422 (61%) No – 265 (39%) 2008 CAC Recommendation

CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE-2013 • Formed to research and provide financial recommendation to the Board COMMUNITY SURVEY-2013 • 502 respondents from community and staff • Administration and School Board used results to determine budget savings, reductions and priorities 2013 CAC

• Minimal support for increasing K-6 class sizes • Community was asked to prioritize 22 programs and services if additional budget cuts were necessary • Community was asked to prioritize 19 building and grounds areas in need of maintenance, repair, upgrades • Top 5 areas for non-parents, parents and staff were main areas of focus for referendum and B&G budget • Install security cameras in both buildings • Remodel middle school space to include science lab • Increase energy efficiency (replace doors/windows) • Upgrade stadium bleachers, foundation, stairs (ADA code) • Update space/equipment in tech. ed. shop and classroom 2013 Survey Results

CAC Proposed Referendum: • 3 years at $400,000 each year for total of $1,200,000 • Suggest future referenda parallel Presidential election for maximum voting opportunity • Requested the Board make small gym floor replacement a priority if funds were available in year three • Referendum date of September 10, 2013 • Total Voters: 483 Yes - 332 (69%) No – 151 (31%) 2013 CAC Recommendation

Administration/Board Actions: • Removed cap on extracurricular/athletic fees • Secured sponsorship for replacement of all scoreboards • Addressed 3 of the 5 top priorities with the referendum funds • Install security cameras • Remodel MS space with science lab (extensive remodel) • Upgrade Tech. Ed. space and equipment • Used non-referendum funds to replace small gym floor 2013-2016 Middle/ High School Improvement Priorities

Budget Changes from 2008-2015 • Non-Replace Reading Specialist Position • Non-Replace Elementary Core Positions • Non-Replace HS Math Position • Reduce Pupil Services Director • Reduce District Library Media Director • Reduce Elementary Instructional Aide Staff • Reduce MS Core Staff • Reduce HS Core Staff • Reduce PE Staff • Reduce AODA Position • Change in ER Schedule (Reduce Instr. Aide time) • Transition to On-site 4K Program • Increase Employee Health Insurance Contributions History of Budget Changes

CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE-2016 • Formed to research and provide financial recommendation to the Board COMMUNITY SURVEY-2016 • 452 respondents from community and staff • Renew existing operational referendum ($400,000) • Capital projects to include new fitness center and stadium remodel 2016 CAC

CAC Proposed Referendum: • Question 1: $400,000 operational referendum for four years • Question 2: $2.9 million capital referendum for facility purposes • Repairs, renovations and infrastructure improvements • Improve school security • Construction of multi-use facility area/weight room • Construction of stadium press box and concessions area • Replacement of stadium bleachers • Continue scheduling future referenda vote on Presidential election cycle • Referendum date of November 8, 2016 • Question 1: Yes – 1,634 (72%) No - 630 (28%) • Question 2: Yes – 1,552 (69%) No – 712 (31%) 2016 CAC Recommendation