LEADERSHIP BILLINGS

STATE OF THE DISTRICT

JACK COPPS, SUPERINTENDENTBillings Public Schools

January 7, 2009

We Are Billings Public Schools

Billings Public Schools =15,481 Students

We Are Billings Public Schools

15,481 Students =29 Montana Counties

Putting our size in perspective

Largest District in MT: 15,481 students Larger than MSU/Bozeman or UM

1 out of every 10 Montana students is educated in Billings

One of Largest Employers in the County: 2,100

Two Districts: High School (9-12), Elementary (K-8)

22 Elementary Schools 4 Middle Schools 3 High Schools 1 Career Center (only one in Montana) Adult Education Community Education

SuccessesThe proof is in our schools

High Quality Staff Recruitment & Retention

Teachers - The Best National Board Certified

Administrators Support Staff

Successes The proof is in our schools

Learner Focused School Improvement Process

On Site Accreditation Reviews Data-Driven Decisions Competitive Test Scores

Successes The proof is in our schools

Learner Focused, continued Individualized Learning

Gifted and Talented Subject Promotion Advanced Placement Honors Courses

Successes The proof is in our schools

Learner Focused, continued Individualized Learning, continued

At Risk Students Intervention Programs (READ 180,

SuccessMaker, STAR) Credit Recovery Native American Achievement Project Partnerships (Tumbleweed, YBGR,

MSU-B, RMC, COT, HeadStart, Young Families, United Way, Yellowstone Boys & Girls Club, CASA, Rimrock Foundation)

Special Needs Students Technology as a Learning Tool

SuccessesThe proof is in our schools

Learner Focused, continued Individualized Learning, continued

Orchard School (We Can!) Career Center

Increased Enrollment Curriculum Expansion Full-Time Opportunities Employer Connected Career Center/COT Partnership

Articulation of Curriculum (I.e., Allied Health)

Workforce Connection

Successes The proof is in our schools

Learner Focused, continued Individualized Learning, continued

Neighborhood Schools (More to Do) Energy Conservation (On the Way) Community Connection (We’re Getting

There) Chamber of Commerce Yes For Kids Area Businesses Business and Community Leaders

Thank You School Volunteers Donations (Coats, Computers, Playgrounds) Angel Fund

Challenges

Enrollment and Overcrowding

State Funding

Needs of Urban School Districts

Local Mill Levies

Challenges

Enrollment and Overcrowding Has been flat, though trend is

changing BPS High School population decreased

by 333 over the past two years, 6% decrease since 2006 (October, 2008)

Middle and Elementary Populations increasing

Middle School increased over past two years by 3.7%

Elementary Schools increased by 2.2% (greatest increases in K-3rd grades)

Challenges

Enrollment and Overcrowding, continued How Does Billings Compare to

Montana? MT enrollment peaked in 1995-1996 Since then, MT has had a 20,000 student

decrease due to decrease in MT live births 2002, MT had one of the lowest birth

counts in the country Live births started to increase in 2000 and

are expected to continue to increase in the next 10 years

Kindergarten enrollment began to increase again in 2003-2004

Challenges

Enrollment and Overcrowding, continued Is Overcrowding an Issue in Billings?

All Billings schools are at or near capacity (except Lewis and Clark Middle School)

Billings is seeing a growth rate of nearly 2,000 per year.

We must plan for this growth and anticipate some growth in enrollment.

Challenges

Enrollment and Overcrowding, continued Is Overcrowding an Issue in Billings?

Research supports strong Neighborhood Schools.

With growth in the West End, our west end schools are full to the maximum. West High and Arrowhead schools are full beyond capacity.

The result is students are sometimes bussed past their neighborhood school, and sometimes past 1, 2 or 3 schools until they are at a school that has room for them.

Students need to be able to attend schools that are within walking and biking distances IN their neighborhood.

Challenges

Enrollment and Overcrowding, continued We Used to Have Space, Why is it Different

Now? Educational delivery has changed over time. Full Day Kindergarten added 550 full time

students Intervention programs demand extra classroom

space Technology as a 21st Century learning tool

requires space for computer labs and equipment.

Challenges

State Education Funding Governor’s Proposed budget includes

2.5% for education and an average of 9.7% for other state agencies

How does that 2.5% translate for Billings? It would increase our High School district by less than 1%.

Even with a voted mill levy this spring, the total increase for the high school district would be about 1.5% - a $1.5million shortfall

Challenges

State Education Funding, continued Elementary District would see a

2.4% increase, however because of previously negotiated wage increases of 3.75%, the elementary district would be unable to maintain the services and level of instruction currently provided

Challenges

State Education Funding, continued State K-12 Education Funding as a Share of

the State General Fund is only 63%

Appropriation as Percentage of State General Fund has decreased since 1991

K-12 Appropriation as a % of State General Fund

50.48%47.99%46.91%47.73% 46.98%

44.36%41.93%41.37%

37.72%33%

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

FY 91

93 Biennium95 Biennium97 Biennium99 Biennium01 Biennium03 Biennium05 Biennium07 Biennium

FY 08

Challenges

Needs of Urban School Districts State Constitution defines a

component of quality education – the needs of urban schools with high population density

Challenges

Needs of Urban School Districts, continued Sustain Elementary Neighborhood

Schools

Address the Needs of Large High School Populations Basic Entitlements Decrements

Challenges

Needs of Urban School Districts, continued Infrastructure Needs

Facilities Repair and Replacement of Schools For Billings to implement a schedule that

would replace an elementary school (K-6) every 100 years, we need to build a new school every five years. Last new Billings school = 20 years ago.

Experts also recommend a major renovation for each school every 50 years. We would need to renovate an elementary school every 2.5 years.

Challenges

Needs of Urban School Districts, continued Infrastructure Needs, continued

Bonding Capacity One successful bond election since 1986,

and that was paid off in 4 years State contribution

Technology Needs 6,500 computers in the District and one of

the largest networks in the state Space and funding for computer labs Ability to recruit staff that can educate and

support technology

Challenges

Needs of Urban School Districts, continued Local Mill Levies

SD2 Taxes Have Decreased over the Past 6 years

$170,000 home = -5.71% $270,000 home = -9.6%

Why? Increased Tax Base Only one voted mill levy since 2002

The Road Ahead

A Time to Invest The Price of Indecision/Delay The Process

Hard Work Timelines Roles: School District, Committees,

Community Leaders Coming Together

QUESTIONS& DISCUSSION

Thank You Resources

Presentation information at: www.billingsschools.org/overview2009

BPS News and Information (RSS Site) www.WeAreBPS.com