Port Monmouth/New Monmouth Elementary

Schools Consolidation Proposal

February 24, 2020

How did we get here? ● July 2018 - the District was informed it would be losing over $5 million in state

aid over seven years. The Board of Education and administration have adjusted our operations to address the increasing financial challenges.

● October 2019 thru January 2020 - Administrative team meetings were held to develop the proposed 2020-2021 district budget.

● February 5, 2020 - Public Budget meeting during which the Board and community were advised that the 2020-2021 proposed budget shortfall was approximately $2.5 million after reductions and eliminations of some curricular, special education and facilities costs. The administrative team advised they were actively reviewing additional measures for closing the gap.

● February 12, 2020 - During the Strategic Planning Forum 3b priority areas were identified after reviewing over 10,000 community survey responses and collecting public comments during seven different community forums beginning in October 2019

How did we get here?● The need to develop a balanced budget for next school year has necessitated

continued analysis of the proposed budget by the administrative team to make additional revisions that would not contradict the priority areas from the Strategic Planning community forums; estimated revisions/cuts total approx. $1.3 million:

○ Elimination of Dreambox subscription○ Partial deferral of payment for K-5 Mathematics resource adoption○ Reduction in the number of Smart Board replacements○ Elimination of elementary Poricy Park field trips○ Estimated reduction in Employee Health benefit costs (very preliminary)○ Use of Maintenance Reserve funds for next year’s budgeted expenses

● It was determined that additional revisions/cuts would impact classroom instruction and student support services due to reductions in budget items, such as personnel and staff professional development for new initiatives, and Responsive Classroom and Early Literacy Instruction.

How did we get here?

● It was determined that without redistricting there was no other opportunity to fully consolidate two school student populations, except for the proposed New Monmouth/Port Monmouth plan. An added benefit of the consolidation plan is that the district could lower the class size maximums in gr. 4-5 in all schools and further reduce student to teacher ratios in Title I schools with ESSA funds.

● Additional revisions to the proposed budget will be necessary if: estimated savings in health benefit costs are not realized, additional unanticipated positions are necessary due to an increase in student enrollment, etc.

● Spring 2020 - The Board will be drafting accompanying Action Plans based on the Strategic Planning priority areas, which will include measures necessary to achieve the identified priorities, such as the reduction of class sizes districtwide and establishing a plan for financial sustainability.

Middletown Township Public Schools2018-2019 Budget Reductions

July 25, 2018 Public MeetingInformation Shared

State Aid Reduction for 2018-2019● The district was notified on Friday, July 13th that the

amount of state aid originally designated in March was being reduced by $1,177,977.00.

● The NJ Department of Education issued specific options for revising the 2018-2019 budget to reflect the reduction of state aid.

● There are many challenges when revising a budget once the new fiscal year begins (July 1st).

Information was shared with Public at 7/25/18 mtg

2018-2019 Budget ReductionsTwo middle school teacher positions (currently not staffed)

Four elementary school teacher positions (currently not staffed)

One Educational Technology Specialist position (xfer staff member to middle school classroom teacher vacancy)

One part-time Phys. Ed./ alternate suspension-intervention program (currently not staffed).Revise middle and high school Phys. Ed. and Electives schedules to support alternate suspension-intervention program

Revise the NEW School Security Staff plan (staff two Class 3 Officers and 12 elementary security guards)

Revise the Title I and SIA applications (plans) in order to charge a greater portion of Bayshore/ Thorne Math Interventionist and Supervisor of Elementary Curriculum & Instruction salaries/ benefits to grant allocations

Information was shared with Public at 7/25/18 mtg

Looking forward...Senate Bill S2 laid out a plan to reallocate state aid for school districts over a seven year period starting with the 2018-2019 budget year. Future reductions in Middletown’s state aid funding are projected as follows based upon the published percentage reductions:

2018-2019 -$314,578 (actual reduction from March, 2018 aid amount is $1,177,977)

2019-2020 -$503,325

2020-2021 -$629,156

2021-2022 -$880,818

2022-2023 -$1,132,481

2023-2024 -$1,321,228

2024-2025 -$1,509,974

Total: -$6,291,560 - This represents 36% of our 2017-2018 state aid

2018-2019 Budget Reductions - continuedPostpone gr. 9 World Literature textbook adoption

Postpone gr. 10 American Literature textbook adoption

Postpone gr. 9-12 Science textbook/ supply purchases

Total Personnel reductions (salaries/ benefits) -$860,972.00

Total Curriculum & Instruction reductions (textbooks/ supplies) -$317,005.00

Grand total of reductions -$1,177,977.00Additional notes: Increase maximum class size for middle/ high school Phys. Ed. courses, increase grade 4-5 maximum class size to be equivalent with middle school core subject areas (as needed) to accommodate new enrollments, cap the number of elementary school/ grade level sections, and reduce the number of lunch paraprofessional positions- repurpose certificated staff administrative duty assignments.

Information was shared with Public at 7/25/18 mtg

Middletown Township Public Schools

Overview of State Aid FundingSeptember 26, 2018

Public MeetingInformation Shared

State Aid Trend

Resident enrollment - 2008 through 2017

Middletown Township Board of Education

Public Hearing 2019-2020 BudgetMay 1, 2019

Information Shared

Resident Enrollment for Application for State School Aid

2011 10,057.0

2012 10,050.0

2013 9,742.0

2014 9,606.5

2015 9,591.0

2016 9,528.5

2017 9,448.0

2018 9,425.0

Resident enrollment has dropped 632 students since October 2011, or 6.2%. Resident enrollment is a significant component of the state aid allocation formula.

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Strategic Planning ForumDecember 11, 2019

Five Year Summary Projection Deficits: Hypothetical Tax Impact2019-2020 Budgeted

2020-2021Projected

2021-2022Projected

2022-2023Projected

2023-2024Projected

2024-2025Projected

Tax levy +2% $143,618,246 $146,490,611 $149,420,423 $152,408,832 $155,457,008 $158,566,148

Tax levy to cover deficit

$0 $2,241,686 $3,798,498 $5,614,679 $7,641,324 $9,387,743

Total hypothetical % tax levy increase** 3.6% 4.6% 5.8% 7.0% 8.0%

Tax levy increases that exceed the statutory limit of 2% plus allowable waivers must be first approved by the county executive superintendent and then by voters in a separate ballot question on the November ballot. These additional tax levy increases must be classified as temporary or permanent and may not be proposed to fundprograms/initiatives of health and safety or to meet core curricular standards.

**Percentages will differ based on whether additional levies are deemed temporary or permanent; calculations done assuming levies are temporary.

Middletown Township Board of Education

Budget Workshop Meeting February 5, 2020

Banked tax levy capMiddletown’s banked tax levy cap history since 2011-2012 (year of implementation):

Total banked cap generated since 2011-2012 $8,086,724

Total expired banked cap $4,609,285

Total utilized banked cap $2,418,158

Total banked cap currently available $1,059,281

Cumulative effect of unused banked tax levy cap over last nine budget years is $45,290,764.

Significant Components of Budget Areas - Personnel

Reductions in Personnel since July, 2018

Administration:Technology SupervisorHS Assistant Principal of GuidanceDirector Of HS Operations

3

Certificated Staff:K-12 classroom teachersEducational Technology SpecialistAlternate Education- Suspension teacher

27

Support Staff:Elementary secretariesCentral Office secretariesMaintenance Mechanic

5

Total 35Administration will continue to evaluate 2020-21 personnel requirements based on changes in student enrollment, MS and HS course registrations, new/revised IEP programs, and department/school needs.

For Port Monmouth Students

● Increase opportunities for inclusion, social emotional learning, and development of interpersonal skills and relationships by increasing the number of sections at each grade level through the consolidation of Port Monmouth and New Monmouth Schools. In the current second and third grades at Port Monmouth there are 22 and 25 students respectively, which significantly limits these learners from having the opportunity to socialize and grow academically with a variety of peer groups during their elementary school experience.

● Provide a learning environment that meets the needs of the Port Monmouth School students. The school is 92 years old and the educational spaces, such as the gymnasium/cafeteria, do not have the capacity and/or other essential components to meet state expectations and implement state mandates and district initiatives. Port Monmouth is also located on a busy intersection of a major highway.

● Funding will be focused on the Title I schools to:○ Significantly lower class sizes○ Provide additional programs and services○ Provide staff professional development to further enhance small group instruction practices, implementation of reading instruction

at the primary level, and other district academic and social emotional initiatives.

● All Port Monmouth students remain together in a school community. Create as little disruption to the Port Monmouth students as feasible.

● Students entering middle school would have a familiar peer group that is larger, potentially increasing their confidence during the transition.

Port Monmouth/New Monmouth Consolidation Goals

For New Monmouth Students

● New Monmouth School is the newest elementary school with the most recent substantial renovations. The space utilization is not currently being maximized. The proposed consolidated school will be on par with the district’s larger elementary schools' enrollments and use of space.

● Provide consistent Title I status to New Monmouth. This ensures Title I funding for additional support to improve student achievement.

● Funding will be focused on the Title I schools to:○ Significantly lower class sizes○ Provide additional programs and services○ Provide staff professional development to further enhance small group instruction practices, implementation of reading

instruction at the primary level, and other district academic and social emotional initiatives.

● Students entering middle school would have a familiar peer group that is larger, potentially increasing their confidence during the transition.

Port Monmouth/New Monmouth Consolidation Goals

For All District Students

● Increase the number of class sections in order to lower class sizes and provide more effective and efficient instructional support including small group instruction, enrichment opportunities, and intervention services.

● Focus financial resources to preserve programs and services for all students. By consolidating Port Monmouth and New Monmouth Schools, costs will be reduced and resources will be more efficiently utilized to provide for the best educational opportunities.

● Maintain the district’s current staffing level, as appropriate. The annual $1.2 million savings from the consolidation removes the need to reduce district staff, including teachers. To close the $1.2 million budget gap projected for 2020-2021, a reduction of 15 or more staff members would be required.

● Maximize the effective use of grant funding to support instruction, intervention and, enrichment opportunities for students. ○ Uniting the 191 students projected to be enrolled in Port Monmouth Elementary School during 2020-2021 school year

with the 272 students projected at New Monmouth Elementary School affords the district an opportunity to further maximize federal funding (ESSA Title I and Title II grant funds).

○ The grant funds will be focused on the Title I schools to provide additional programs and class reduction opportunities.

Port Monmouth/New Monmouth Consolidation Goals

2020-2021 Student Projections as of Feb. 24th Pre-registrations and Current Enrollments

Elementary School Kdg 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Projected Enrollment Current Enrollment

Bayview 57 50 51 54 52 50 314 316

Fairview 45 48 52 48 48 45 286 283

Harmony 55 61 72 50 69 69 376 378

Leonardo 38 43 39 49 41 48 258 268

Lincroft 75 76 83 67 83 81 465 456

Midd Village 59 67 62 72 48 59 367 366

Navesink 31 34 38 38 36 43 220 238

New Monmouth 48 40 49 49 43 44 273 265

Nut Swamp 81 74 103 91 87 105 541 555

Ocean Ave 41 43 42 47 33 51 257 262

Port Monmouth 38 34 31 22 25 45 195 194

River Plaza 31 45 41 43 50 43 253 264

Totals 599 615 663 630 615 683 3805 3845

Port Monmouth/New Monmouth School Consolidation Proposal

Projected Students Enrollments for 2020-2021 School Year As of 2/24/20

Port Monmouth 2020-21 Projections New Monmouth 2020-21 ProjectionsCombined NM & POMO 2020-21

Projections

Grade# Students per

Grade Level# Classes per Grade Level

Average Class Size

# Students per Grade Level

# Classes per Grade Level

Average Class Size

# Students per Grade Level

# Classes per Grade Level

Average Class Size

K 38 2 19 48 2 24 86 4 22*

1 34 2 17 40 2 20 74 4 19

2 31 2 16 49 2 25 80 4 20

3 22 1 22 49 2 25 71 4 18

4 25 1 25 43 2 22 68 4 17

5 45 2 23 44 2 22 89 4 22

Total 195 10 20.3 273 12 23.0 468 24 19.7

Highest Class Size

No Change to Current District Footprint

PM/NM Consolidated

Port Monmouth

New Monmouth Combined NM/PM

Class Size K-3 22 25 22Class Size 4-5 25 22 22

*Monitoring for possible class size reduction using ESSA funds.

Consolidation Plan - Impact on Class Sizes

● The consolidation would result in reduced costs to the district and the ability to more efficiently utilize budget revenues. Available financial resources will be focused on reducing class size by adding additional elementary class sections as well as preserving programs and services across the district. In all elementary schools the maximum class size in gr. 4-5 would be reduced to 25, thus eliminating classes with 26-27 students which are projected at Nut Swamp, Ocean Ave., Lincroft, and Bayview.

● With fewer Title I schools to support and changes in Title I school designations anticipated for next year, opportunity would exist to direct district ESSA funds (Title I and II) toward reducing teacher-to-student ratios and lowering class sizes; thus supporting equity and opportunity for students as prioritized in the community Strategic Planning forums.

Individualized Student Services

● Dedicated Resource and RTI (Intervention) classrooms

● Speech, OT, and PT will have rooms designated to provide services to meet the students’ needs. Therapist will treat students individually or in small groups.

● Push in services (classroom) will continue, as per students IEPs. Speech, OT and PT will incorporate this service to generalize skills taught in the individual sessions.

● Dedicated Sensory Room to meet students’ unique needs. Sensory diets created in collaboration with the OT and implemented both in the classroom and the Sensory Room. Cocoon and platform swings, sensory tunnels, low lighting, soft music, soft mats for safety are available and utilized daily.

● Teacher of the Deaf space remains the same. Services will continue in classroom as well as individual space to treat students.

New Monmouth School Enrollment and Building Information

❏ PM/NM Consolidation Proposal - combined enrollment projection: 467

❏ In 8 of the past 17 years NM enrollment exceeded: 500*

❏ 2009-2010 school year student enrollment at NM: 558*

❏ Classrooms available at NM (with relocation of Pre-k classes): 31

❏ Classrooms needed with currently projected enrollment 28

❏ Other available rooms include: Art Room, Music Room, Band Room, Library, OT/PT/Sensory Room, Teacher of the Deaf Space, Small Group Instruction Rooms, Media Center & MakerSpace

*Prior to the NM renovations to create 5 classrooms and 4 small group instruction rooms (Summer 2013)

Transportation Analysis of transportation of Port Monmouth students - current and proposed (based on current enrollment)

Based upon the current student population, 18 more students would be transported.

Current PM scenario Proposed PM/NM consolidation Change

Transported - mileage 0 103 103

Transported - hazard 126 41 (85)

Walkers 68 50 (18)

Future Timeline

● March 4, 2020 - Budget workshop meeting - 7:00 pm at High School North

● March 11, 2020 - Additional meeting on proposed Port Monmouth/New Monmouth consolidation; board of education vote on proposal - 7:00 pm at High School North

● March 18, 2020 - BOE voting meeting - 8:00 pm at Middletown High School North - tentative budget vote

● March 20, 2020 - Deadline for submission of tentative budget to NJDOE county superintendent