school district reorganization options inlet common school district january 21, 2015 alan d. pole...
TRANSCRIPT
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School District Reorganization OptionsInlet Common School District
January 21, 2015
Alan D. Pole4514 Whistler Circle, Manlius, NY 13104
(315.692.4615/[email protected])
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Greater Expectations for Students
Common core requirements to be college and career ready
Passing 5 Regents examsMore math, more science, more creditsFocus on increasing graduation ratesSignificant local support for students
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Declining EnrollmentsMost school districts across New York State
are experiencing student enrollment declines
2001-02 2014-15 Difference % Difference
Inlet 29 26 -3 -10%
Old Forge 396 270 -126 -32%
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Financial CrisisFringe benefit costs continue to increaseDistricts spending down fund balances and
reservesUtility costs are increasingProperty tax caps
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The Perfect Storm
Greater expectations and opportunities for all students
Declining student enrollment in many districts
Precarious financial condition 77% of Superintendents say they will not be able to fund
mandates in 4 years; 18% says it will occur in two years.
Business as usual will not be an option
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Reorganization Options
TuitioningSchool District Mergers
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Tuitioning Students to
Other Districts
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Why Do Districts Tuition Students?To provide opportunities for students that are
not feasible to offer in their home school district.
To reduce cost. The cost of running a high school is the most expensive
operation in the K-12 sequence of grades.
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Current Tuitioning ArrangementInlet currently has 27 students in Pre-K-6…..
and 1 kindergarten student who is tuitioned to Old
ForgeInlet currently has 36 students in 7-12 who are
tuitioned to Old ForgeRate for tuitioning Pre-K-6: $15,000/studentRate for tuitioning 7-12: $17,200/student
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Distribution of Secondary Students
Grade 7……3Grade 8……8Grade 9……8Grade 10….4Grade 11….8Grade 12….5 TOTAL……..36
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Cost for Current Tuitioning Arrangement
1 kindergarten student………….…………$15,00036 secondary students………………….…619,200Transportation………………………………..…10,200TOTAL……………………………………..……..$644,400
Plus: School Psychologist: $58.77/hr (4-12 hrs/mo) Speech Therapist: $108.38/hr (12-25 hrs/mo) Secretarial Services: $20.75/hr (1hr/mo) Bus repairs & maintenance: $150/month
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Tuitioning Guidelines
After a public vote, a district can contract for: -All or part of the elementary
students -All or some of the 7-12 students for a period of 2-5 years
Contract may be with one or more school districts
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Tuitioning Support
Receiving district cannot charge more than the difference between the cost of
educating the student and the amount of state aid received for that student
Sending district must provide transportation for the tuitioned students
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Rights of Teachers in TuitioningSending district teachers are considered
employees of the receiving district
If fewer teachers are needed, teachers cannot bump receiving district teachers
If laid off, teachers are placed on a preferred eligible list for 7 years
Length of service carries over for salary, sick leave, and other purposes
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School District Mergers
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Why Consider Merger?Increase course offerings for
studentsUpgrade facilities and equipment More cost effectiveReduce taxes
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Why Merger May be Difficult
Fear of losing local identityUncertainty over board representationBusing time for students will be
increasedFear of losing job security by staffNatural resistance to change
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Mergers-What Research Tells Us
Curriculum opportunities for students will be enhanced
Extra-curricular opportunities for students will be enhanced
Tax rates on true value declineSchool district spending increases
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Types of Reorganization
Centralization-New district created with a new name and a new board of
educationAnnexation-One district takes over the
other district with the annexing board of education, administration, contracts,
policies, etc. remaining in place
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Contiguous Districts for Inlet
Old ForgePolandPiseco*Raquette Lake*
*Non-operating Districts
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The Finances of Merger-Part 1
Incentive Operating Aid
Combined operating/foundation aid (GEN Report-Part VII-2006-07) for both districts is increased as follows:
Year 1-40% Year 6-36% Year 11-16%Year 2-40% Year 7-32% Year 12-12%Year 3-40% Year 8-28% Year 13-8%Year 4-40% Year 9- 24% Year 14-4%Year 5-40% Year 10-20% Year 15-0%
However, a merger of Inlet and Old Forge would not generate any
incentive operating aid.
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The Finances of Merger-Part 2Incentive Building Aid
Additional 30% on top of the higher district’s selected building aid ratio up to 95%
(98% for high needs districts) for 10 years for any new construction
Existing debt is aided at the higher of the previous districts’ selected building aid ratios
District Building Aid Ratio
Inlet 0%
Old Forge 0%
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The 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 Guideline for Incentive Operating Aid
1/3 to finance transition costs to the merged district
1/3 in reserves for long term fiscal stability1/3 to reduce taxes
Tax Rate/$1,000 on True Value
Inlet $4.90Difference of
60%Old Forge $3.07
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Components of Tuitioning or Merger Study
Enrollment History and ProjectionsInstructional and Extracurricular
ProgramFacilitiesTransportationStaffingFinances
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Inlet History
Consultant study in 2000 examined:Stay as isAnnexation to Old ForgeBecome a non-operating districtChange to a Pre-K-3 school
Consultant recommended that Inlet become a non-operating district
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Non-Operating School Districts
South MountainRaquette LakeHopevalePiseco
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Future Options
Remain as currently organizedInvite Old Forge to discuss optionsEngage in a study to define a non-operating
districtOther
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Questions???