DEERFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Committed to Excellence and Equity in Education Citizens Advisory Committee February 4, 2020
A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead Citizens Advisory Committee
Represent diverse population groups and interests within community Promote feedback through community survey Use past and present information to: Help establish the priority list of educational needs Help establish the priority list of facility needs Advise Board of potential plan to address future needs Committee Purpose
Chairperson: • Creates meeting agendas with facilitator • Liaison to administration for information requests • Maintains order in meetings • Assures ground rules are followed by CAC • Create advisory statement(s) to Board w/assistance from CAC Public Relations Person: • Transcripts highlights of meetings • Works with admin. to develop regular updates for Independent newspaper • Work with admin. to develop strategy for sharing information with other media • WDEE channel • District Skylert (mass email) • District Facebook • Mailings • Community meetings/Organization meetings Committee Roles
• Say what’s on your mind • Respect the opinions of others • Only one person speaks at a time. No side conversations. • Practice common courtesy • Listen first • Agree to disagree • No “bad” ideas • Chairperson will enforce rules • Keep minutes of meetings • Keep to a specific timeframe Ground Rules
• Rural school houses • High school housed in old elementary school • New high school opens on Simonson Blvd. in 1966 • Elementary schools consolidate on Liberty St. • HS addition in 1978 (major renovation) • MS addition in 1997 (commons, classrooms) • New Elementary school opens on Quarry St. in 2004 • HS addition in 2004 (science, social studies wing) • MS remodel in 2014 • HS Stadium remodel and Fitness Center Addition 2016 Deerfield Schools History
• Low Class Sizes • Fiscal Responsibility • Commitment to Early Learners/Early Literacy • Supportive Academic Programs • After-school Programs for Youth and Adults • Strong Parent Organizations • Rewarding Extracurricular Offerings • Frequent Community Use of Facilities • Community Support for Student Programs • Opportunities for ALL Students • Innovative Instructional Strategies • Highly Qualified Educators • Renewable Energy Projects • Staff Retention What is Deerfield Known For?
Fiscally Thoughtful • Community, School Board, Staff Focus on Students • Early intervention • Value of learning • Value of providing opportunities DCSD Financial History
Since 1994: • School Revenue Caps-help reduce property tax increases by limiting school revenue going forward. • Low spending schools (Deerfield) were not allowed to catch up to high spending schools. • Qualified Economic Offer (QEO)-limited staff increases to 3.8% for total package (salary and benefits) • QEO no longer exists under Act 10 (2011) • Surge of school district referenda across state. It has become the alternate school funding mechanism for “local control.” State Financial History
2005 – 2006 Budget Decisions: Approx. $311,000 • Replace HS Librarian w/ Aide - $35,600 • Reduce Tech Ed. from 1.5 FTE to 1.0 FTE - $27,000 • Tech. Specialist Retirement & Replacement - $10,000 • School Psychologist to 60% - $20,200 • Non-Replacement of HS English Teacher - $55,900 • Retirement of 3 Elem. Teachers Replaced - $34,800 • No Driver’s Education Program - $2,600 • Increase Open Enrollment In - $50,000 • Lower Substitute Expenses - $10,000 • HVAC Unit Replacement (One-Time Expense) – • $50,000 • Maintenance Services Reductions - $15,000 History of Budget Cuts
2006 – 2007 Budget Decisions: Approx. $318,600 • Non-Replacement of 4th Grade Retiree - $71,500 • Elem. Math Series – (One-Time Expense) - $40,000 • One Time Service Fees - $25,300 • District Secretary Replacement - $5,000 • Food Service Transfer - $30,000 • Special Education Services - $56,500 • Lower Summer School Pay - $10,000 • One-Time Expenses (Equipment) - $9,300 • Special Ed. Grant Reclassification - $25,000 • Miscellaneous Supplies & Textbooks - $39,000 • 1-Year Uniform Moratorium - $7,000 History of Budget Cuts
2007-2008 Budget Decisions: Approx. $261,200 • Hold on Textbook Purchases - $20,000 • Non-replacement of Summer School Coordinator - $4,500 • Savings from School Psychologist Transfer - $4,500 • Special Education Reimbursement - $10,000 • Business Manager Transfer to Fund 50 - $25,800 • Debt Service Retirement - $14,000 • Extra-curricular supplies - $2,000 • Non-replacement of MS Teacher - $67,400 • Non-replacement of Custodian - $40,000 • Administration Replacements - $23,000 • Teacher Retirements & Replacements - $20,000 • Increase Open Enrollment In - $30,000 History of Budget Cuts
FACILITY STUDY-2007 • Facility Committee had worked on short-term (3-5 years) and long-term (5-10 years) plans • Facility study completed by Plunkett Raysich Architects - Study used to prioritize building and grounds needs - Facility priorities included on community survey CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE-2007 • Formed to research and provide financial recommendation to the Board COMMUNITY SURVEY-2008 • Over 460 respondents from community and staff • Administration and School Board used results to determine budget savings and reductions
CAC Proposed Referendum: • 5 years with graduated amounts for a total of $1,875,000: • Year 1 - $275,000 • Year 2 - $325,000 • Year 3 - $375,000 • Year 4 - $425,000 • Year 5 - $475,000 • Referendum date of September 9, 2008 • Total Voters: 687 Yes - 422 (61%) No – 265 (39%) 2008 CAC Recommendation
CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE-2013 • Formed to research and provide financial recommendation to the Board COMMUNITY SURVEY-2013 • 502 respondents from community and staff • Administration and School Board used results to determine budget savings, reductions and priorities 2013 CAC
• Minimal support for increasing K-6 class sizes • Community was asked to prioritize 22 programs and services if additional budget cuts were necessary • Community was asked to prioritize 19 building and grounds areas in need of maintenance, repair, upgrades • Top 5 areas for non-parents, parents and staff were main areas of focus for referendum and B&G budget • Install security cameras in both buildings • Remodel middle school space to include science lab • Increase energy efficiency (replace doors/windows) • Upgrade stadium bleachers, foundation, stairs (ADA code) • Update space/equipment in tech. ed. shop and classroom 2013 Survey Results
CAC Proposed Referendum: • 3 years at $400,000 each year for total of $1,200,000 • Suggest future referenda parallel Presidential election for maximum voting opportunity • Requested the Board make small gym floor replacement a priority if funds were available in year three • Referendum date of September 10, 2013 • Total Voters: 483 Yes - 332 (69%) No – 151 (31%) 2013 CAC Recommendation
Administration/Board Actions: • Removed cap on extracurricular/athletic fees • Secured sponsorship for replacement of all scoreboards • Addressed 3 of the 5 top priorities with the referendum funds • Install security cameras • Remodel MS space with science lab (extensive remodel) • Upgrade Tech. Ed. space and equipment • Used non-referendum funds to replace small gym floor 2013-2016 Middle/ High School Improvement Priorities
Budget Changes from 2008-2015 • Non-Replace Reading Specialist Position • Non-Replace Elementary Core Positions • Non-Replace HS Math Position • Reduce Pupil Services Director • Reduce District Library Media Director • Reduce Elementary Instructional Aide Staff • Reduce MS Core Staff • Reduce HS Core Staff • Reduce PE Staff • Reduce AODA Position • Change in ER Schedule (Reduce Instr. Aide time) • Transition to On-site 4K Program • Increase Employee Health Insurance Contributions History of Budget Changes
CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE-2016 • Formed to research and provide financial recommendation to the Board COMMUNITY SURVEY-2016 • 452 respondents from community and staff • Renew existing operational referendum ($400,000) • Capital projects to include new fitness center and stadium remodel 2016 CAC
CAC Proposed Referendum: • Question 1: $400,000 operational referendum for four years • Question 2: $2.9 million capital referendum for facility purposes • Repairs, renovations and infrastructure improvements • Improve school security • Construction of multi-use facility area/weight room • Construction of stadium press box and concessions area • Replacement of stadium bleachers • Continue scheduling future referenda vote on Presidential election cycle • Referendum date of November 8, 2016 • Question 1: Yes – 1,634 (72%) No - 630 (28%) • Question 2: Yes – 1,552 (69%) No – 712 (31%) 2016 CAC Recommendation
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