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GoogleThis discussion came as the board checked off one of the dates on its timeline toward a decision on elementary section reduction at its Monday meeting.
The board's goal is to cut $1 million from budget for the 2010-11 school year.
The board requested input from the District Learning and Instructional Impact Team (DLITT) in regard to what information needs to be collected, assembled, and presented regarding reducing three sections at the elementary level.
The 36 members of the DLIIT team include parents, community representatives, high school students, faculty, two school board members, principals, Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Carl Turner.
The DLIIT team's Elementary Section Reduction Study Summary of Information Desired was submitted to the board Monday.
"We asked them individually, and then in groups, to generate ideas," said Wendt. "I think the team did an excellent job of identifying for us things that we need to think about as we put together information throughout this process."
The nine areas identified by the DLIIT team and information they feel is important to the decision-making process are:
* Building Costs
Team members want to know how much money would be saved by closing Kissinger Elementary in Merrill. Information requested include operating costs for Kissinger (not including teacher salaries) what would happen to the empty building in Merrill.
They also wanted to know which building is better, Kissinger or Clark, and if Kissinger were closed, how much of the materials and equipment in the building could be used elsewhere in the district.
* Bussing/Transportation
Here team members want to know if bussing costs increase by transporting students from Merrill to Le Mars and how many students are bussed from Le Mars to Merrill.
* Special Education Students
In this category, team members seek numbers on how many special education students are being served in Merrill, and how those special education programs would be relocated to best meet the students' needs.
* Classroom Sizes/Space
DLIIT team members feel it is important to know what the class sizes will be with the reduction and how those students would be attending classes, spread throughout the buildings or attending in one building.
Another piece of information they felt important is the number of students in each elementary grade - by grade and building.
They noted some parents volunteered to have their child(ren) attend Kissinger. The want to know what the numbers would be if only those in the Kissinger boundary area attended that school.
* Staffing
The team seeks information on how many staff, other than K-2 teachers, such as custodians, foodservice, etc., would be laid off with class reduction changes at Kissinger, Clark or elsewhere.
They also want to know how the reduction, and a possible closing of an attendance center, would affect the administrators and special teachers, as well as the utilization of principals, counselors and specialists.
* Curriculum
DLIIT team members want to know if the programs the same at both schools. They also asked what would be the advantage of having Kissinger open and having Clark as a one-section building.
* Teacher Retirement
The team wants information on what the district is looking at as far as retirement of teachers.
* Cost Savings
Team members want to know the overall costs savings associated with the closing of Kissinger vs. cutting a section at Clark.
They also want the general fund savings comparison between the two choices.
Team members also want to know if there are other options available to cut costs.
* Miscellaneous
Team members had a wide range of questions, which were put in this category.
They include what legal steps are necessary to closing Kissinger that could be appealed and whether students would open enroll elsewhere, such as Hinton.
They also felt information on geographic boundaries for attendance centers and the socio-economic breakdowns of the elementary schools were pieces of information needed.
At Monday's meeting, Wendt indicated the board's timeline says the information sought by the DLIIT team and others will be put together during December, and will be shared with staff at Clark and Kissinger.
"Tonight as you look through there, are there things missing from that list?" Wendt asked board members. "I think the team did an excellent job of identifying for us things we need to think about as we put together information for you throughout this process."
Two board members, Patrick Murphy and Brenda Phelan, are members of the DLIIT team.
Murphy indicated the team is a good mix of people from all walks of life who are very interested in giving direction and help in the decision-making process.
"All they're doing is helping us out," Murphy said to the board. "We have to make the decision."
Wendt also had praise for the DLIIT team.
"They take that part of their job very seriously regardless of the issue. When you identify an issue that you want input on and take it to that team, you'll get it," Wendt said.
The next step is gathering all the information to answer the many questions generated by the DLIIT team.
Board members decided not to waive a second meeting in December, as they have done the past several years.
The board will meet Dec. 28, which is a fourth Monday of the month and the board's regular meeting date.
Both board members and Wendt feel they must meet to keep up with information and questions about the entire budget process and specifically the class reduction issue.
Cutting a section of kindergarten, first and second grades from the current eight sections to seven follows a course of action the district started two years ago when it reduced a section of fourth and fifth grade. One year ago, it reduced a section of third grade.
All three section reductions were done at Clark Elementary in Le Mars.
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This best effort seems to have covered many of the questions asked last year by the story responders with more specifics that couldn't be addressed at that time. This is a tough budget to attempt to cut since it already is very lean. I hope they are able to find the cuts necessary without having to trim the students' opportunities.
They won't. The cuts will impact the students. It is a tough situation. The failure to pass the ISL last year was an epic disaster. Virtually every other school district in the state of Iowa passed an ISL years before Le Mars even tried. People can say what they want, but LCS was able to avoid the need for an ISL for a long time. The community should have passed it when they finally needed it and asked for it. It is that simple.
I do think they would have gotten it if the approach was different and they showed more specifics. Can't just put a blanket request and expect it to fly. They do need it and they should try it again either this year or next. When they show the specific needs and show clarity of funding limitations, they will get what they ask for. I did talk with Dan and the superintendent about this last fall (wow was it really that long ago?). I think it really made sense when I described the peeling back of each piece of the budget, identifying core expenses, showing necessary expenses to maintain current education levels, and all of the "added enhancement education" like sports, music and arts. When people see that we are going to have to pare off some of these or atleast portions of them, I believe the community will come together.
We are in a tough economic time within the community as well. It isn't like this money is just sitting out there out of reach. Many families are struggling to keep afloat. Difficult is the simplest way to express it.
We need to close Kissinger!
Amazing 'ADifferentView' --- now you are willing to listen to the school and talk about necessary expenses. For the past few years, you have had nothing to say but negative comments about LCS and you were a leading force against the ISL passing. Cutting a MILLION dollars this year, on top of what has already been cut, is a massacre against the students.
The students WILL be affected every day. Larger class sizes; possible programs cut/art on a cart-no rooms/ programs squeezed until there is nothing left; etc.
Yes, it is time for Kissinger to close. Make sure you come to the open meetings regarding the closing of Kissinger or taking one section of K-2 classrooms from Clark. The $$$ numbers in savings will show the only option is closing Kissinger.
ConcernedFriend-Where and when is the open meeting?
And what happens to those children that BENEFIT from being at Kissenger?? Some of those children NEED the benefits they get from being there.
Maybe they will have to get the benefits from Kluckhohn.
ConcernedFriend, I was an outspoken force against a blank check ISL that was non specific. I was for a focused ISL that would be sure to pass when properly presented and a display of detailed financial expenditures. I have supported the school system, met with the superintendent and board member, toured the school to observe the current conditions and curriculum offerings. I brought ideas out to assist with the funding. Yes I am against taxing without accountability. It appears that a majority of the community also feels the same way or the ISL would have passed.
If you examine my past comments carefully, you will find I am an avid supporter of the student's education and the school system. I have been listening to what the board has to say. I do recall that the current list is one that was addressed here by many leaving comments. I think it is great that we are ready to peel the onion of finance and verify every aspect of spending. My hope is that this will get a unanamous supporting vote for an ISL that makes sense instead of a blank check.
OK i WAS ONE THAT HAD TO BE MOVED FROM OLD CENTRAL TO FRANKLIN BUT TODAY I AM GREAT. MAMATINK IF YOUR CHILD GOS TO KISSINGER I WILL TELL YOU THAT YOUR CHILD WILL BE FINE. WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THOSE CHILDERN WHEN THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL? ALL KIDS HAVE TO ADAPTED TO THINGS THAT HAPPEN. THIS WON'T BE THEW LAST TIME THEY HAVE TO ADAPTED TO CHANGE. I SERVIVED AND YOUR CHILD WILL TO.
LCS needs to be on a balanced budget, like everyone else is. NOT a open checkbook budget, like they want to be!
longtimeresident...please don't shout. I was merely asking a question. I am aware that people need to adapt and adjust...I was a military brat...I know what that is all about. As far as middle school, that is a few years off and the children in my child's class will be more prepared to "adjust" by then. Hopefully none of them get "lost in the numbers" before that happens.
I am not trying to step on toes, I am worried about the education of these kids, and what might happen to them.
I am sorry to mamatink! I really was don't shouting. I just had my capital letters on for the whole time and did not realize it until I was all done . I did not want to type all over so I left it. What do you mean by numbers? Well I realy don't know where most of these kids live in Merrill or Le Mars? I will tell you that if I had a child that needed to be in a special class room I would want them to go to school where we are living and not travel to another town. If the schools were all in Merril well then I would have to say close the school in Le Mars bout its not in bt the school is in Merril so that why I think we need to close Kissinger. There are open rooms in the Le Mars schools. The kids will get just enough attention in the Le Mars school than the kissinger.