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