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NESDEC Final Report presentation to the Franklin County Public Education Study Group, April 3, 2009
Citation preview
Franklin County Public Schools 2020
Executive Summary April, 2009New England School Development Council
Project Team
Joseph M. Cronin, Ed.D., Team Leader Arthur L. Bettencourt, Ed.D., Assistant
Executive Director Donald G. Kennedy, Ed.D., Data Collection Richard F. Sulc, M.B.A., Financial John R. Sullivan, Jr., Ed.D., Executive
Director
Issues
Local SchoolsState Leader Concerns
Local School Issues
Declining Enrollments Declining State Aid School Choice Too many state mandates, required reports
State Leader Concerns
Delays in School Budget Approvals Cost Overruns Too Many Small School Districts Doubtful Capacity to Improve Educational
Performance
Franklin County Studies 2007-2009
Public Management Associates Hurwitz Associates Focus Groups NESDEC Interim Report NESDEC 2020 Vision
Public Management Associates
Recommended an educational collaborative Projected savings of $1.2 million per year
Hurwitz Associates Focus Groups
Found strong support for teachers, small schools
Some willingness to look at consolidations
NESDEC Interim Report
Declining enrollment set to end Reinvent magnet high schools
NESDEC 2020 Vision
Review of local finances vs. state average Several new models for discussion Link Franklin County to readiness vision
State Readiness PlanGovernor Patrick’s Task Force on Education
Early Childhood Programs, Ages 3, 4, 5 Longer school day and year Readiness Centers, Passports P-16 Grades 13 and 14 free of charge (Community
College) Early Colleges Virtual High Schools
Franklin County Economic Plan
Growth will be in virtual offices, polymer New energy/health/telecom employers need
more skills, some college 75-85% graduation rates: only 8,000 of
10,000 pupils will earn a diploma
Research on School/District Size
High schools of 400-800 enjoy good graduation rates, attendance, family support
School districts of 3000-5000 most economical, efficient
Elementary schools – bus rides, topography limit closures
Other States
Maine – Governor’s proposal: from 260 to 80 school districts
Arkansas – minimum number of students Nebraska – eliminate elementary districts NY State – extra funds for reorganized
districts
Problems Facing Small Districts
Turnover of school superintendents School choice Fewer state grants Special education, regular transportation
costly Health costs, purchasing more expensive:
Franklin County School Expenditures
Overview Three Areas Exceeding State Averages Administrative Overhead Expenses Below State Average
Expenditures Overview
Total expenditures $133,388,207 in 2007 $20 million in Title programs, Special Ed,
food services Franklin County per pupil costs 10% higher
than state average Yet below state average in Out-of-District
expenditures, $7 million less
Three Areas Exceeding State Averages
Health Insurance/Retirement: $3.5 million Other Teaching Costs (Assistants,
Therapists, Etc.): $3.1 million Transportation, Food, Other Pupil Services:
$2.3 million
Administrative Overhead
Principals, Assistants: $1.2 million Central Office, Superintendents, Directors:
$1.1 million Total $15 million vs. $13 million state
average
Expenses Below State Average
Guidance and Counseling Professional Development Classroom teachers, specialists
Ingredients of a Readiness School System
Full day access to Early Education Upgrade graduation rate towards 100% Early college/dual enrolment Virtual high school, online courses Focus on Readiness services, Passport,
Center Computer, financial, global literacy for all
Local Control
Under-utilized school councils: Can interview principal, teacher candidates Should review pupil achievement, school
improvement plan Examine the school budget Raise funds for enrichment, art, music,
afterschool Recruit volunteers, mentors
Governance Models
Model #1
One county school committee and superintendent, academic, technical, business manager
Specialists in curriculum areas, transportation, food service, special ed
Headcount Savings of 24 positions Savings - $2.79 Million
Model #2
Three districts: East County, West, Technical School
Headcount Savings 13 Positions Savings of $1.7 Million
Model #3
Six K-12 districts, each with a high school Headcount Savings 5Positions Savings $ 852 Thousand Other variations, options include: Leverett, Shutesbury to join with Amherst,
Pelham Orange, Mahar to join with Athol, Petersham
Greenfield Community College
Expand early entrance to college options Open up access to online courses Transfer options to four year colleges Continue GED, lifelong learning programs
State Leadership Options
Raise state aid from 30% to 45-55% of costs Full funding of transportation formulas Restore incentives for regional school
districts Restore summer school remediation Fund state share of collaboratives Require schools to join Group Insurance
commission or equivalent program
State Leadership Options – Cont.
Cap school choice Cushion charter schools Extend Broadband Access Expand early college, dual enrolment options Finance a Pioneer Valley Readiness Center Reduce number of state required reports
Local Action
Join a collaborative, share purchases Create a 501 C 3 foundation to seek grants,
gifts Study Readiness priorities, become a model Agree to magnetize high schools
Next Steps For The State
Restore the regional incentives Strengthen the School Council duties, powers Allow forgiveness of School Building
Assistance Consider making Franklin County the umbrella
school committee Encourage discussion of models and of
Readiness
Franklin County School Districts